Mwalimu-G
Elder Lister
BRIAN MURIMIFebruary 26, 2023News
China Square row: Chinese traders in Kenya call for dialogue and cooperation
The Kenya China Chamber of Commerce (KCCC) has on Sunday called for a healthy environment to do business and trade in peace with Kenyan traders.
The group issued a statement after the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kuria, advised the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University to buy out the lease for China Square, a shopping mall in Nairobi that houses Chinese vendors.
The Chinese Nationals stressed that they are not in Kenya to compete with Kenyan traders, but rather to develop their economies and contribute to Kenya’s growth and development by creating jobs and paying taxes.
The Chamber of Commerce also emphasized China Square’s significant contributions to the local economy, such as job creation and increased foot traffic to neighboring businesses.
According to the statement, the proprietor of China Square had followed all necessary legal procedures before establishing the business, and the Kenyan Government had given no indication that his business plan was unacceptable. As a result, the Chinese community believes that the Kenyan government and the NCIC are discriminating against them.
“We feel discriminated and don’t sit well with the remarks of the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry to Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor to buy out the lease for China Square at the Unicity Mall, which were uttered without any further consultations from all parties involved and not considering the repercussions of such statements which are contrary to Kenya’s investment promotion and protection regime that has always been equitable, non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory,” said the Chamber of Commerce.
The statement also condemned the Vice Chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Wambui Nyutu, for making ‘derogatory remarks’ about Kenya’s Chinese community on social media. According to the KCCC, such comments were irresponsible and divisive, and could incite hatred and violence against Chinese nationals.
“We are therefore requesting the Government of Kenya for a healthy environment to enable us do business and trade in peace and contribute to Kenya’s growth and development through employment creation and contribution to Kenya’s tax revenue. The Chinese Nationals are open to working and collaborating with Kenyan traders to lower the cost of living for Kenyans. Our goal is not to compete rather, to develop our economies,” the statement read.
The KCCC stated that it respects Kenyan traders’ rights to peacefully express their opinions, but urged them not to be misled by false information or propaganda against China Square. It also urged both parties to engage in dialogue and work together to find solutions that benefit both countries.
China Square row: Chinese traders in Kenya call for dialogue and cooperation
The Kenya China Chamber of Commerce (KCCC) has on Sunday called for a healthy environment to do business and trade in peace with Kenyan traders.
The group issued a statement after the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kuria, advised the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University to buy out the lease for China Square, a shopping mall in Nairobi that houses Chinese vendors.
The Chinese Nationals stressed that they are not in Kenya to compete with Kenyan traders, but rather to develop their economies and contribute to Kenya’s growth and development by creating jobs and paying taxes.
The Chamber of Commerce also emphasized China Square’s significant contributions to the local economy, such as job creation and increased foot traffic to neighboring businesses.
According to the statement, the proprietor of China Square had followed all necessary legal procedures before establishing the business, and the Kenyan Government had given no indication that his business plan was unacceptable. As a result, the Chinese community believes that the Kenyan government and the NCIC are discriminating against them.
“We feel discriminated and don’t sit well with the remarks of the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry to Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor to buy out the lease for China Square at the Unicity Mall, which were uttered without any further consultations from all parties involved and not considering the repercussions of such statements which are contrary to Kenya’s investment promotion and protection regime that has always been equitable, non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory,” said the Chamber of Commerce.
The statement also condemned the Vice Chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Wambui Nyutu, for making ‘derogatory remarks’ about Kenya’s Chinese community on social media. According to the KCCC, such comments were irresponsible and divisive, and could incite hatred and violence against Chinese nationals.
“We are therefore requesting the Government of Kenya for a healthy environment to enable us do business and trade in peace and contribute to Kenya’s growth and development through employment creation and contribution to Kenya’s tax revenue. The Chinese Nationals are open to working and collaborating with Kenyan traders to lower the cost of living for Kenyans. Our goal is not to compete rather, to develop our economies,” the statement read.
The KCCC stated that it respects Kenyan traders’ rights to peacefully express their opinions, but urged them not to be misled by false information or propaganda against China Square. It also urged both parties to engage in dialogue and work together to find solutions that benefit both countries.
