Chinese and British companies to enhance cooperation in Kenya

Representatives of the two parties are signing the MoU. [Photo by Liu Hongjie/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenya China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) and British Chamber of Commerce Kenya(BCCK) was signed Tuesday afternoon in Nairobi, capital of Kenya.

It was signed by Zhang Haifeng, Chairman of KCETA, and Graham Shaw, Chairman of BCCK, and witnessed by Liu Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, and Nic Hailey, British High Commissioner to Kenya.

"The MoU will be a new start and set a good example for systematic tripartite cooperation, by providing a platform for the UK-China companies to explore and share trade and investment opportunities and expand areas of collaboration in Kenya," said Ambassador Liu at the signing ceremony.

He said the MoU provided a framework for cooperative relationship between companies of China and UK in Kenya and beyond, in many aspects, including information sharing, capacity building, project partnership, export promotion and enhancement of the friendship between the two countries.

"I hope that the two chambers could concentrate more strength from member companies by requesting them fulfill social responsibility, help local community, protect environment, and transfer technical skills so as to contribute more to the development of Kenya," Liu said.

In his speech, High Commissioner Nic Hailey said he had been constantly asked the questions: Are the UK and China competing in Kenya? And, are we trying to push China away or resist Chinese rising in Kenya?