Chinese stands pull in crowds

Chinese exhibitors are turning out to be the major attraction at the Nairobi International Trade Fair. Thousands of show goers flocked Chinese stands selling clothes and other household products as the trade fair opened at the Jamhuri Park. Also busy were sheds displaying Chinese machines and equipment. Most of the showgoers told the Nation Chinese products were much cheaper than others. For instance, a duvet that would normally retail at Sh3,000 is going at half the price. Similarly, sports shoes are selling at Sh300 and jeans trousers at Sh500. Also on display were electronic toys, ladies handbags, Chinese ornaments and men’s suits. Mr Henry Ochieng said: “The prices of these Chinese products are fairly reasonable. I am actually encouraged to buy from them.” It was a boon for the buyers but a dull day literally for local and regional exhibitors who complained of foreigners saturating the market with cheap products. At the exhibition hall for Tanzanian traders, customers trickled in slowly, and only to see what was on offer. By afternoon Jane Munyao of the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations had only sold four pieces of African dresses, but a stone throw away, the Chinese stands were abuzz with buyers. Ms Munyao said despite the few customers at the local stands, the quality and workmanship of their products was top notch. “The Chinese products are not durable at all and we simply cannot understand how our standards bodies allow them in,” she said. Kenyan products, she added, cannot compete with the imports because of the high production costs, high taxes and lack of incentives for farmers to grow cotton locally. Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) chief executive officer Batram Muthoka said the main aim of the trade fair was to promote local industries. Mr Muthoka said they expected more than 500,000 visitors by the end of the show on Saturday. The number of exhibitors has also gone up, with 330 local firms and 90 foreigners. Last year there were 275 local exhibitors and 80 international exhibitors.