China Square resume operations after government resolve trade dispute with Chinese community
China Square has today resumed operations following a full-blown diplomatic strain between Nairobi and Beijing.
Through a statement by the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce (KCCC), resumption of operations at the mall followed several engagements between the Kenyan government and the Chinese Community in Kenya to find an amicable solution to the stalemate.
“The Chamber looks forward to an equal and fair treatment of all businesses across board to ensure a conducive business environment for all and promote cordial relations based on mutual trust and benefit. We appreciate the Kenya Government’s support in allowing the Chinese Community to do business and contribute to Kenya’s growth and development efforts through employment creation and contribution to Kenya’s tax revenue,” the Chinese Chambers stated.
The Chamber also promised to continue fostering collaboration between the two countries to enable and promote investment for both traders.
China Square had closed indefinitely and had not given a timeline for when they would resume operations following a standoff between the proprietor, Lei Cheng and Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria who had revealed plans to have China Square out of the Kenyan market following uproar on take-over of local jobs.
He announced that he had given the go-ahead for the buyout of the lease by Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Pof. Paul Wainaina and hand it over to local traders.
He emphasised that the country welcomes Chinese investors as manufacturers but not traders.
Soon after Kuria’s sentiments, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) raided the complex and confiscated goods worth Sh50million following a trademark complaint.
ACA Executive Director Robi Njoroge Mbugua had said the authority seized the suspected counterfeit goods following a complaint from M/s Smithmo Company Ltd about “FINDER branded tools.”
The company holds the registered trademark of “FINDER” in Kenya, and ACA’s Enforcement Directorate promptly acted on the complaint.
However, the authority released the seized goods saying that the complainant, Smithmo Company Ltd, withdrew the complaint after confirming that the ‘Finder’ branded goods were sourced from the same manufacturer and international brand owner of Finder merchandise.
