NAIROBI -- The third Shandong Export Exhibition opened in the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi on Nov 26 as more than 93 Chinese firms showcased their high-quality products.

According to the organizers, Afripeak Expo Kenya, the trade fair is expected to attract more than 2,100 delegates both physically and virtually.

"The exhibition has been growing and becoming not only a trade fair but a platform for business communications and attracting foreign investment," Gao Wei, CEO of the Afripeak Expo Kenya said.

The sectors to be represented during the expo include engineering machinery, building materials, medical supplies, electrical, new energy, vehicle, auto parts and agricultural machinery.

Pius Rotich, general manager of the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) said that the trade fair is one of the platforms for China to build a new mechanism for economic and trade cooperation with Africa and specifically Kenya.

"The expo provides a unique platform for both governmental and private sectors from Kenya and China to cooperate on agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and construction which are the immediate priority for the Kenyan government," said Rotich.

He called on Chinese firms to enter into joint partnerships with local companies in order to promote value addition of local resources.

"Kenya has also profiled a number of bankable projects that Chinese enterprises can invest in," said Rotich.

He said that robust Kenya-China cooperation has seen more than 400 Chinese companies setting up in Kenya.

According to the KenInvest official, the east African nation has become an important participant of the Belt and Road Initiative and the gateway for Chinese enterprises seeking to establish a presence in Africa.