NAIROBI, July 10 (Xinhua) -- As the 27th edition of Buildexpo Kenya got underway from Wednesday to Friday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Glady Kang'ethe and her partner visited the "China Pavilion," which showcased modern equipment and technologies for the construction, mining, and water purification sectors.
The middle-aged entrepreneur, who deals in spare parts for drilling equipment, spent ample time at the exhibition stand of Zhuzhou Tony Carbide Co., Ltd. to learn about the company's flagship stone-cutting tools.
Kang'ethe has traveled to China several times on business and came to the expo hoping to meet companies from the Asian nation specializing in mining equipment to discuss long-term partnerships.
"Kenya's mining sector is growing, and industry players are increasingly turning to Chinese equipment for extraction and processing. The future looks bright with the availability of mining equipment and technologies from China," she added.
More than 300 exhibitors from 22 countries are taking part in Buildexpo Kenya, with Chinese firms maintaining a strong presence at the three-day event, showcasing advanced equipment and technologies for the construction, mining, clean energy and water sectors.
Duncan Njage, regional director for East Africa at Expo Group, the event organizer, said the concurrent exhibitions provide an opportunity to strengthen China-Kenya business ties alongside technology and skills exchanges aimed at accelerating industrial growth.
"The expo is a time to do business and look forward to joint ventures between Kenyan and Chinese companies in the construction and mining sectors, leading to industrial revival and job creation," Njage said.
Alex Wang, a sales manager with Zhongying Wire Rope Group, which specializes in producing steel cables, steel wire ropes and plastic-coated wire ropes, said it was his first visit to Kenya to showcase products widely used in mining, deep-well drilling and port operations.
"We want to bring our products to the Kenyan market and the broader African market," Wang said, hailing the expo for creating a platform to forge partnerships between Chinese and Kenyan companies dealing in heavy industrial machinery.
Kenneth Wainaina, founder and chief executive officer of a startup founded in the United States, said he was excited to participate in Buildexpo and bring cutting-edge building technologies to his motherland.
Wainaina's company has imported advanced 3D printers and computer numerical control machines from China to support architectural innovation and digital fabrication in East Africa and beyond.
"At this exhibition, we brought one of the best 3D printers on the market, made in China. It is very affordable and can produce beautiful architectural models as well as door handles and hinges," Wainaina said.
During the expo, Wainaina said he looked forward to meeting architects, engineers, hardware store owners and investors to discuss how Chinese 3D printing machines can be used to produce door and cabinet handles more efficiently, at lower cost and in less time. ■