Bag of Goodies for Kenya As President Ruto Winds Up Four-day State Visit to China
President William Ruto has concluded his four-day State Visit to China where he bagged a number of deals for Kenya, including getting a Ksh 130B loan for development.
On his last day of the visit, the Head of State explored research institutions and cultural sites in Fujian Province on the south-east coast of the country on his final day.
The day’s activities commenced with a visit to the headquarters of Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL) in Ningde City.
During this visit to Ningde City, President Ruto acknowledged the company’s global leadership in electric vehicle battery manufacturing, achieved in just over a decade.
CATL’s innovative applications in green energy have transformed motor transport, empowered thousands of enterprises with electrification solutions, and contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions.
Following this, President Ruto visited the Ningde Poverty Alleviation Exhibition Hall, which serves as a model for poverty reduction efforts.
Some of the most notable deals signed by Ruto in China include a Sh19.5 billion commitment by China Wuyi to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) in Kikambala, Kilifi County.
The 191-acre zone is set to benefit from government incentives aimed at promoting both public and private SEZs. The project is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs for Kenyan youth.
In Kajiado County, Penfeng Investment Limited and Shangcheng Apparel Group will jointly inject Sh2.6 billion to build storage and production facilities for the textile, garment and solar energy sectors.
Additionally, Rongtai Steel Limited is targeting the growing demand from Kenya’s affordable housing initiative with a Sh19.5 billion investment in a steel production factory in Lukenya, which will add 700 new jobs.
Shandong Jialejia Agriculture will invest Sh3.9 billion in setting up a large-scale egg farm housing 500,000 hens in Kajiado which seeks to take advantage of Kenya’s zero-rated import policy for hatchery eggs, further enhancing domestic supply.
Further, Zonken Group, a Chinese biotechnology company, unveiled plans to inject Sh41.6 billion into a 300-acre aloe vera processing plant in Baringo, it will spend another Sh10.4 billion on a 72-acre vineyard aimed at increasing Kenya’s grape exports.
On tourism, Huatian Hotel Group has splashed Ksh 39 billion to acquire and lease hotels in Nairobi.
