RAILA LEADS CORD GOVERNORS TO CHINA

CORD Leader Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga left the country this afternoon for an 8-day working visit to China as part of his efforts towards promotion of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

The overall objective of the working tour is to match Chinese Investment Interests with opportunities available within Kenyan Counties based on comparative advantage with a view to tilting the Balance of Trade in favour of Kenya.

The Kenyan Counties are interested in seeking prospective investors and partners in the areas of

(i)Infrastructure (Roads,Airports/Airstrips, Sports Facilities e.g Stadia, Energy, Housing, Dams, Sewerage facilities, Water & Sanitation);

(ii)Health (Hospitals & Medical Supplies);(iii)Manufacturing
(Joint Ventures in agro- processing factories e.g. Dairy farming, Fish farming, Sugarcane, Cotton, Bananas, Coconut, Pyrethrum, Bamboo, e.t.c;
(iv)Education(e.g Technical Institutions of higher learning especially skills development areas)
(v)Mining (Mineral extraction, processing and export e.g Iron Ore,Gemstones,Titanium,Gemstones, and Gold);
(vi)Textiles and Leather Works;
(vii)Environmental and Waste Management;
(viii)Revenue Collection/Billing and Management; and
(ix)Direct Project Financing/ Sourcing for investment funds; either on Public-Private Partnership(PPP) or Build, Own, Operate and Transfer(BOT) Basis.

As part of the busy working schedule, the Kenyan delegation will hold meetings with the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CAJCCI); the World Ermines Chinese Business Associations (WECBA); China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals
Importers and Exporters (CCCMC); China Foreign Economic Corporation Centre for Agricultural Technology(CFECC); China Overseas Agricultural Development Alliance(COADA); the Southern Fijian Chamber of Commerce; and the international charity organization, China-Africa Project Hope, among others.

Based on investment priorities of the Counties, the Kenyan team will also hold structured discussions with Chief Executives of World renown and reputable EPC multi-national Chinese Companies, including but not limited to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC); Hydro-China International Engineering Co. Ltd.;Power-China International Engineering Co. Ltd.; Ginko Energy Co. Ltd; China Airport Construction Group Engineering Co. Ltd;China
Highway Group Ltd.; CITIC Construction Co. Ltd, CITIC Investment Fund, and the low-cost housing conglomerate BNBM Homes Ltd.

Hon Raila leads the Kenyan delegation consisting of Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya-ODM Deputy Party Leader and Governor, Kakamega County; John Nyangarama, Governor, Nyamira County: Amoth Cornel Rasanga, – Governor, Siaya County – Ali Omar Abdi-Deputy Governor Marsabit County; and Mr. Eliud Owalo, a Management Consultant.