Kenyan farmers have been urged to take advantage of the newly signed protocols between China and Kenya that have paved the way for the export of agricultural and aquatic products from Kenya to the expansive Chinese market.
During the visit to Kenya by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in January, the Protocol on Inspection Quarantine and Veterinary Sanitary Requirements for Wild Fished Aquatic Products was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
Yet another protocol, for the export of fresh avocado fruits from Kenya to China, was signed between the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service of the Republic of Kenya.
In his first address in Nairobi, the recently appointed Chinese special envoy to the Horn of Africa region Ambassador Xue Bing said Kenyans ought to take advantage of the incentives offered through these agreements to further penetrate the Asian country with their products.
“We encourage more exports from Kenya. Recently, during his trip to Kenya, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed a series of contracts, protocols, to allow agricultural products from Kenya to China.”
“For instance, we signed the quarantine and inspection protocol in order for more agricultural products to go to China. We also reduced the income tax for Kenyan products and we will do more in the future.” He said
He urged Kenyans to take a step further and showcase their products in the annual Shanghai Import and Expo taking place in November. He said the exhibition holds numerous opportunities that ought to be exploited.
“We encourage Kenya and countries in Africa to participate in the expo in order to export more to China.”
He noted that even though the balance of trade between China and Kenya is not at a level that is desired currently, it has been increasing year after year and it has the potential to rise even further with improving conditions of trade between Nairobi and Beijing.
“Development is at the center of every Chinese proposal to the continent. Our trade investment relationship with Africa is developing.”
“Kenya, for example, our trade has been increasing over the past year and we start to import more products such as agricultural and aquatic products from Kenya and we want to do more.” He said
The trade balance between China and Kenya hit 7 Billion US dollars in 2021. This, he noted, represents 25 percent increase from the previous year. Relevant data shows that the imports and exports between the two countries are on the increase but still in favor of China.
As far as economic and development cooperation goes, Ambassador Xue indicated that relations between China and Africa have developed very fast. He said China is keen to develop a link between programs agreed under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), with local development strategies so as to ensure fast economic growth and social progress.
He cited development, security, and good governance as some of the most important components of Chinese relations with African countries. But he says development is given priority in any given proposal from Beijing.
“There are many successful projects between China and African countries. To name a few, we have the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Addis Ababa to Djibouti Railway. These two railway lines could be the axis for further development,” he said
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