Chinese e-commerce platform aims to benefit local Kenyans

Chinese E-commerce firm Chinabuy Group plans to launch its Kenyan operation in early November, the company said on Saturday.

Chinabuy Group Chief Executive Officer Joe Zhang told Xinhua that the company will help Kenyans access millions of good quality products directly from factories in China.

"We are going to eliminate the need for the Kenyan business community to go to China to source for goods and this will reduce the cost of goods in Kenya," Zhang said.

"Since we do not hold inventory of goods compared to a normal shops or local on-line websites, our operating costs are much lower and this translates into lower prices for the consumer," he said.

China is one of Kenya's largest trading partners and a key source of imported goods.

Zhang said the firm which was launched in 2012 operates on a unique business model.

"We are going to work with local partners in Kenya who will provide close customer support in local languages," he said.

He stated that Kenyan consumers will enjoy seven days a week of online customer support, a 365-day return policy for unused items.

The Chinese online shopping platform currently operates in other African countries such as Tanzania, South Africa and Nigeria.

The firm which has a research and development center in Israel plans to expand its presence to South America, Europe as well as the Middle East.

Zhang, who is also the founder of the company, said online commerce has numerous advantages as it enable Kenyans to purchase products at any time.

He noted that e-commerce is yet to be fully embraced as Kenyans are still not very comfortable with paying online and trusting that their item will be delivered.

"Our hope is that as more people access the internet, the fear will slowly disappear," he said. Endit