Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2019 shows a production line of Sunda Kenya Industrial Diaper Factory invested by Chinese in Mavoko, Kenya. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
Chinese firms have been at the forefront of technology transfer of advanced manufacturing techniques into the local economy of Kenya, says Kenyan business association leader Phyllis Wakiaga.
NAIROBI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese firms are boosting Kenya's manufacturing sector through technology transfer, the industry said on Monday.
"Chinese firms have brought in investments into critical sectors, which is good for the country which is trying to attract foreign direct investment in order to support job creation," Phyllis Wakiaga, CEO of Kenya Association of Manufacturers said in Nairobi.
She said Chinese investors have ventured into sectors including the construction, building material, baby products, electrical goods, Information Communications Technology (ICT) sectors.
She observed that Chinese firms have helped reduce the East African nation's reliance on imports of goods.
People work at Sunda Kenya Industrial Diaper Factory invested by Chinese in Mavoko, Kenya, on Aug. 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
"Goods that were once sourced from foreign countries are now being locally produced by Chinese enterprises," Wakiaga said.
She said that Chinese firms have also been at the forefront of technology transfer of advanced manufacturing techniques into the local economy.
"We have seen Kenya become a major diaper manufacturer in the past few years as a result of the entry of Chinese firms into the sector," she added.
The official added that Chinese industrialists have also benefited Kenya through linkages with small and medium enterprises. ■
