Feature: Kenyan entrepreneurs' regular visits to China broaden their horizons

Peris Njeri has weathered many storms to become a successful entrepreneur in the Kenyan capital Nairobi and her bubbling energy and determination is a source of inspiration to young people yearning to start a business.

The mother of two in her late 30s started off as a small time businesswoman and her journey to success was littered with hardships, frustrations and cynicism.

Thanks to resilience and an ability to spot emerging opportunities, Njeri managed to grow her shoe business to significant levels and has currently employed five people alongside penetrating into newer markets in the region.

She is among hundreds of Kenyan entrepreneurs who have been visiting China regularly to import products and gain new insight that could help them expand their businesses.

During a telephone interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, Njeri revealed that her trips to China since 2009 have improved her entrepreneurship and people skills.

"I have been visiting China twice every year since 2009 and every trip has opened new opportunities. Besides importing shoes accessories at reasonable cost, I have also learnt and applied Chinese work ethics in my business," Njeri told Xinhua.

She has visited several Chinese cities in the last six years while their phenomenal growth has been an inspiration to an entrepreneur with global ambitions.

"During my trips to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other industrial hubs, I have learnt how rapid industrialization positioned China as an economic powerhouse. As a Country, we should apply these lessons to grow economically," said Njeri.

She added that Chinese entrepreneurs have been offering her vital tips on how to grow the shoe business.

"The Chinese work culture has been a source of inspiration to many Kenyans and I wish it was applied locally to grow our economy to the next level. The Chinese manufacturers stick to details," Njeri remarked.

She noted that shoe accessories from China are of high quality while their demand in Kenya has spiked.

"Even the plastic shoes made in China are of high quality and their demand among Kenyans across the economic divide is high," said Njeri.

She is among hundreds of Kenyan small and medium sized entrepreneurs who are making regular trips to China to import a range of products and explore new markets in the middle kingdom.

Njeri's business trips to China since 2009 have been facilitated by the Nairobi based China Information and Culture Communication Kenya (CICCK) Limited.

The organization facilitates business trips to China for Kenyan entrepreneurs while providing them with strategic market information.

During an earlier interview with Xinhua, CICCK Managing Director Gao Wei revealed that in 2015, an estimated 600 Kenyan small and medium sized entrepreneurs visited China to explore new opportunities.

The number of Kenyan entrepreneurs yearning for an opportunity to visit China has increased tremendously thanks to launch of a direct flight linking Nairobi to Guangzhou.

Likewise, the mandarin courses offered by CICCK to budding Kenyan entrepreneurs have made it possible for them to interact with their Chinese counterparts.

Domiziano Mithika, a Nairobi based agro-chemicals dealer in his early 50s has benefited from business trips to China in the last five years.

Mithika has been in agro-chemicals business for the last 25 years and an opportunity to visit China to purchase repackaging machines was a game changer.

"Initially, I visited Shanghai and Guangzhou to shop for a repackaging machine for agro-chemicals. I bought the machine at a discounted price and it has transformed my business rapidly," Mithika told Xinhua

During his annual trips to China since 2010, Mithika has learnt how the Asian giant developed its agro-chemicals industry.

"Chinese agro-chemical industry is quite advanced and could offer lessons to us as we embark on mechanization of our agriculture," Mithika remarked.

He added that China has become a prized destination for upcoming Kenyan entrepreneurs who import high quality and budget friendly products like farm machinery, clothes, electronics and home appliances. Enditem