Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 306374,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/306374/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 140,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "trade of any kind in this country. If there are Chinese and/or other foreign nationals hawking in the Central Business District (CBD) in our cities, they should be dealt with within the respective local authority regulations. Any foreigner illegally operating in the country is bound to be arrested, prosecuted and/or deported in accordance with the Immigration Laws, the Chinese included. To safeguard local businesses especially small traders and hawkers in the country, the Government is undertaking, among others, the following measures. To address some of the weaknesses within our legal trade policy framework, my Ministry is developing the National Trade Development Policy and the National Trade Development Bill which will be brought to this House to address concerns and safeguard the interest of small business communities in the country. The Government is enforcing the Anti-Counterfeit Act to protect the consumers from counterfeit and sub-standard goods. The Government is implementing the Policy Directive that 10 per cent of all Public Procurement be sourced from small businesses. The Ministry is also continuously engaged in negotiating for market access for Kenyan products across the borders with emphasis on sustaining our export trade. In the Vision 2030 flagship projects, the Ministry of Trade is establishing wholesale hubs and tier one retail markets to improve the value chain efficiency. It is estimated that about 4,000 Chinese nationals are legitimately residing in Kenya at the level of development support. China has over the years extended substantial financial assistance to Kenya which has had significant impact on Kenya’s socio-economic development. China is one of the leading donors to Kenya with cumulative grants totaling Kshs1.925 billion and loans totaling Kshs40.285 billion, amounting to a total of Kshs42.21 billion to date in development assistance. In tourism, Kenya was among the first African countries to be granted the approved destination status for the Chinese outbound tourists. Kenya Airways direct flights to Hong Kong and Guangzhou have boosted the tourism promotion campaign targeting the Chinese market. Over 14,000 Chinese tourists visited Kenya in 2008, and by November, 2009, the number had risen to 37,000 tourists. In tandem with the reciprocal business exchange between China and Kenya, the Chinese Consular issued a total of 9,922 visas to Kenyans in 2011 of which over 80 per cent were commercial visas compromising small traders who go to sell their wares in China. As at 16th August, 2012, the Embassy had issued 6,628 visas to Kenyans, again 85 per cent of them being commercial visas for Kenyan traders going to China. These are formidable proofs that there exist cordial relations and beneficial partnership in various sectors including agriculture, health, education, trade and tourism which continue to expand. In conclusion, I wish to confirm that the trade between our two countries is guided by principles of international trade and bilateral trade agreements. Both Kenyan and Chinese businesspeople have access to each other’s market; access to trading and investment in each other’s territories conducted in accordance with the respective laws of the country. Any hawkers who are unlicensed are breaking the law and should be arrested regardless of their nationality."
}