NAIROBI, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of the East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show kicked off Thursday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, with a range of Chinese-made watches drawing visitors' attention.
Faith Ndela, an employee of an electric mobility firm, sampled a variety of sleek watches from China's Hunan Titan Watch Manufactory.
"I came to this expo specifically to engage with Chinese watchmakers," Ndela said. "Chinese exhibitors have good quality watches that are cheaper."
She also participated in a watch industry supply and matchmaking conference on the sidelines of the expo, which brought together about eight Chinese watch manufacturers and Kenyan importers, wholesalers and distributors.
Ndela said that she looked forward to a significant presence of Chinese-made watches in the Kenyan market, to offer local consumers an alternative that reflects their financial position.
Lv Xiaodong, chairman of Hunan Titan Watch Manufactory, said the company has endeavored to produce high-quality watch components that have resonated with consumers globally, with the African market on the radar.
"We are looking for opportunities in the African market by leveraging local distribution networks and industrial expertise. We hope to bring our new high-technology and high-quality watches to the local market," said Lv.
Running from Thursday to Saturday, the East Africa Fashion Show has brought together nearly 100 Chinese companies and about 20 Kenyan firms to showcase a wide range of fashion, lifestyle and consumer products.
Gao Wei, managing director of Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd, the organizers of the three-day event, said it will place greater emphasis on targeted business matchmaking, China-Kenya cooperation in the fashion industry and long-term market development.
"We hope the exhibition will generate real business opportunities, support the growth of Kenyan enterprises, improve access to quality consumer products, and attract greater international investment into Kenya's fashion, lifestyle and consumer goods industries," said Gao.
Faith Wairimu Muturi, a major distributor of Chinese-made watches in Kenya and across Africa, said their demand has been on an upward trajectory.
She said several Kenyan wholesalers have partnered with Chinese manufacturers to produce their own customized watches using beads and leather.
"The largest source market for our watches is Guangzhou in China. They are affordable and of high quality, and that is what typically drives the Kenyan watch market," said Muturi.
A single purchase
