CHINESE DELEGATES VISIT THE PORT

Eng Dan Amadi explains to  Mr. Liu Songtian some of the investment prospects of the port.

Mr. Liu Songtian, Director General Department of African Affairs of the ministry of foreign affairs of the peoples’ republic of China recently visited the Port of Mombasa with his entourage from the embassy of the people’s republic of China in the republic of Kenya for investment prospects.

He was welcomed by Eng. Amadi Head of projects who gave him a tour of berth 20 and showed him all the ongoing projects at the site.

He praised the geographical location of the port. He said that it was viable for industrial relocation for China. He went on to say that the port of Mombasa was famous around the world thus it would be a good investment area.

The long standing diplomatic relations between the Kenyan Government and the Chinese government has encouraged the Chinese government to invest USD 100 billion in the previous year. Mr Liu Songtian said that the Chinese government was planning to invest USD 650 billion this year in the industrialization of Kenya.

The main purpose for his visit was to find out if the laws and policies could favour industrial relocation thus he could be able to lobby potential investors from China. His great concern was the ongoing standard gauge railway (SGR) project which would be able to revitalize Tazara railway-one of their projects.

The standard gauge railway would be able to link all East African countries’ capital cities creating the first ever rail highway in Africa.

The managing director Mr. Gichiri Ndua welcomed the development of SGR and said that he believed it would be a solution in cargo transportation. In return capacity of the port would increase due to fast movement of cargo out of the port and raise utilization of facilities.

The cost of production would be expected to reduce once the SGR project is complete. This is due to the fact that rail transportation is cheaper than road.

Mr Gichiri Ndua also commended Mr. Liu for the good work China roads and Bridge Corporation did on berth 19. He said that it was completed in time and relieved the port of congestion.

He also asked Mr Liu Songtian to put in a strong word for KPA to the Chinese investment to attract more investment into the port.