By M&M Reporter
More than 1,000 job opportunities have been floated by Chinese companies operating in Kenya, following the staging of the inaugural Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) Career Fair, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre today.
Prospective job applicants who included fresh university graduates and youth who have accumulated experiences in various professional disciplines, thronged various stands at the Career Fair as more than 50 Chinese firms sought to showcase their corporate profiles in the battle for local human talent.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Asia and Australasia Affairs, Ambassador Christopher Chika, welcomed the Chinese companies’ commitment to deepen bilateral relations through career development opportunities.
Such Career Fairs, he noted will continue playing a key role to break cultural barriers while providing direct linkages between prospective job seekers and the recruiting firms.
“Kenya has established strategic relationships with China, testified by the frequency of the interaction of the two country’s top leadership. In the economic space, more than 400 Chinese companies have been creating quality local jobs and establishing crucial skills transfer linkages for Kenya’s development agenda,” he said.
The forthcoming and first ever China International Import Exhibition (CIIE) to be held early next month, in Shanghai China and to be attended by President Kenyatta, Amb Chika said, will be a major international platform to further boost bilateral relations and trade.
The Chinese Embassy to Kenya Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Li Xuhang, said Chinese companies are looking to employ Kenyans holding solid professional competences with a passion for hard work and diligence.
He noted that building on these critical competencies of both local and Chinese employees, a company such as the China Road and Bridge Corporation had been able to complete the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project well ahead of schedule. Construction firm AVIC International, he said, has also been able to build one floor of the Global Trade Center in just 10 days.
“On behalf of the KCETA Career Fair team we are encouraging local students to take advantage of the 1,000 plus jobs offered, including three posts from the Embassy itself,” Mr. Li Xuhang said.
Speaking on behalf of all companies present, Mr. Wang Yantao from SinoHydro said that Chinese companies have always placed great importance on generating local employment opportunities, which is a major part of their corporate social responsibilities. “I believe the Kenyan employees and Chinese employees have a shared future. We will work hand in hand to overcome language and cultural barriers, abide by all applicable laws and regulations, and promote the long term and healthy cooperation between the two great countries,” said Wang.
Some of the major participating firms include China Road and Bridge Corporation, Sinohydro Corporation, Huawei Technologies, and AVIC International among others, they cover a wide range of industries such as Construction, ICT, Automotive, Mining, Media and related economic sectors.
KCETA is a non-profit organization with 97 Chinese company members. The Association aims to explore business cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan people and enhance cultural exchanges, while actively shouldering Corporate Social Responsibilities to promote community cohesion.
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