By Rui Hu, Video by Congshan Lu, iChongqing News

Chongqing - During the 2^nd Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT),  Kenya Business Promotion Seminar was held in Chongqing. On May 16^th, Sarah, Kenyan Ambassador to China, talked to iChongqing about the cooperation with China and further plan in Chongqing.

Kenya business promotion seminar in Chongqing on 16th May 2019.

Forever friends

Kenya set the 1^st Visa Center in southwest China at Chongqing, which covers visa application from Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing. Sarah said that Kenya chose Chongqing to set up the visa center because they found Chongqing is a rapidly growing city with friendly people and similarities with Kenya. “I was told that Chongqing people are really nice and friendly, its food is spicy whereas Kenya has spicy food”, Sarah said. “there are lots of people who interested in Kenya, Chongqing people are our forever friends”, she added.

Giraffes are under your feet

Mombasa Nairobi Railway is a typical project made by Chinese under the Belt and Road Initiative. As an infrastructure construction, Kenya experienced conveniences and economic boost from the railway. When asked about the changes that Mombasa Nairobi Railway has brought to Kenya, Sarah explained the amazing achievements of her country. There is an outstanding GDP growth from an average of 4.5% to 2018`s 6.8%. “During the public holiday, the railway train tickets were sold out quickly last year, the train will go across the National Park, you can see animals and beautiful natural scenes on the train”, according to Sarah. It is clear that the infrastructure construction like Mombasa Nairobi Railway brought development along the train route, “school, industrial parks, tourism, and etc. are all developing along the train”, she added. More specifically, Sarah highlighted that you can find the giraffes walking under your feet when the train crossing the National Park. The train elevated as a viaduct on the National Park area.

She also impressed by Chongqing`s transit system and is willing to make Kenya and Chongqing as partners for a win-win situation, “the future is bright for Kenya and Chongqing”, she said. “The possibility of upgrading the visa center to be a consulate general is also on the way”, she added.