Chinese firms leave mark on Kenya expos

A department manager at Shandong Ruiyu Accumulator Co, surnamed Liu, said her company has already cut a niche in East Africa by shipping batteries from Qingdao to Mombasa. The batteries are also sold in Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia, she said.

Max Wang, marketing director at Roogoo Tire, said he was on his third visit to Nairobi for the auto expo and had previously attended similar events in South Africa, Algeria and Las Vegas in the United States.

"We have not received many serious visitors but we are still hopeful ... many more people will show up."

Robin from Zhejiang Antai Auto Parts Co Ltd, based in Fuyang, Zhejiang province, said he was pleased with the organization of the event.

"I have received very positive responses to my products on display here today. I have also got many contacts of potential partners. Those exhibitors who said the event was poorly attended were probably showcasing products not popular in Kenya."

Charles Zhang, a sales manager of Shaanxi Automobile, said the SHACMAN trucks on display at the event attracted many people who were interested in knowing more about them.

The events are all part of the Kenyan government's plan to bring more visitors to the country by hosting international forums in an effort to grow inbound visitors in East Africa's largest, albeit ailing, economy.

In a welcoming speech to exhibitors and guests to the 18th Auto Expo Africa 2015, Fred Simiyu, managing director of the Kenya International Convention Center, hailed the exhibitors from different countries. Exhibitions and trade fairs are the surest way of positioning brands and ventures in markets, he said. The center is providing the necessary platform for organizations to realize that need, he said.

"MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) is a niche that has great potential. The industry has received tremendous growth in Kenya. The country has hosted numerous big and high-end international conferences and high-profile events and expos such as Expogroup exhibitions and still has a high number lined up."

Indian companies at the event included Shriram Pistons and Rings Ltd, Penta Auto Equipment PVT Ltd, Roger Motors Ltd, Malhotra Rubbers Ltd and Omoto Import and Export Co Ltd.