Chinese, Qataris set to invest in Kenya’s affordable housing scheme

By Samuel Ouma | @journalist_27 [caption id="attachment_61462" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure James Macharia[/caption] Kenya’s Affordable Housing Scheme has received a boost follow a commitment from Chinese and Qataris multinationals to construct 300, 000 houses. Chines Companies have pledged to build 100, 000 houses whereas Qatari multinationals will construct 200, 000 houses. Affordable Housing is part of Big Four Agenda spearheaded by the government. Others are manufacturing, food security and universal health. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure James Macharia made this revelation after attending the coordinators meeting of the Beijing Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing He also held talks with Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Qatari’s Transport Minister Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti. They focused on how to strengthen cooperation between countries. In Beijing meeting, the main focus was on trade, infrastructure, industrial promotion, training, security and peace. Mr. Macharia said Kenya and China agreed to bolster their partnership through the private sector as the Asian country’s government ready to allow African investors invest in the country. “Chinese are ready to increase technology transfer and training encourage innovation cooperation, regional value chains development, support Africa cultivate technical, industrial and management professionals and promote people centred partnerships, “ said Mr. Macharia. He invited Chinese investors to bring more resources to Africa and also urging them to impart their skills into African people by awarding African students scholarships to study in China and giving them chances to train in their firms as interns. The China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo provides a platform for cooperation and mutual exchange, showcasing tens of millions of commodities to make bilateral trade easier. More than 50 African countries attended the summit during its inauguration last month. Kenya had the opportunity to showcase the Big Four Agenda, investment opportunities agriculture and tourism.