Chinese enterprises on Tuesday pledged to cooperate with their Kenyan counterparts to stimulate economic growth and social renewal in line with the Belt and Road Initiative. (Xinhua/Nyalwash)

NAIROBI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises on Tuesday pledged to cooperate with their Kenyan counterparts to stimulate economic growth and social renewal in line with the Belt and Road Initiative.

The new pledge for strengthened partnership between Chinese and Kenyan business entities was made during the first Forum on Kenya-China Cooperation, organized by the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the east African Nation's trade lobby groups.

Economic and Commercial Counsellor Guo Ce of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya said enhanced collaboration between Chinese and Kenyan companies is key to unleashing mutual benefits.

"This being the first forum on Kenya-China cooperation, we are confident to come up with roadmaps that will guide our future ways of doing business where we foresee increased collaboration between Chinese and Kenyan companies through harmonized trading practices," Guo said.

Senior Kenyan officials and executives from Chinese enterprises operating in the country attended the one-day forum, whose objective was to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and to achieve Kenya's Big Four development blueprint, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta last year.

Guo said the Chinese government and enterprises have rallied behind Kenya's quest to achieve the Big Four agenda, which includes food security, manufacturing, affordable housing and universal health care.

Moses Ikiara, managing director of the Kenya Investment Authority, said Nairobi has improved the policy and regulatory environment to attract direct investment from China and achieve long-term growth.

Zhuo Wu, chairman of Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said Chinese companies are willing to partner with the Kenyan government and private sector to achieve the Big Four Agenda.

"Chinese companies have the resources and expertise to invest in affordable housing schemes, large and small-scale irrigation dams and agri-business to ensure that Kenya attains the goal of food and nutrition security," said Zhou.

Angela Ndambuki, CEO of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), said healthy dialogue between Kenyan and Chinese enterprises is required to facilitate trade and investment that unleash shared prosperity.