Eric Muriithi Muuga, minister of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation of the Republic of Kenya, and his delegation visited Hunan Construction Investment Group (HCIG) on the morning of September 7. Deng Weiping, deputy director of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, Tan Ding, vice chairman and general manager of HCIG, warmly welcomed them.  

Eric Muriithi Muuga expressed gratitude for the strong support and enthusiastic reception of HCIG. He pointed out that while advancing high-quality “Belt and Road” cooperation, Kenya has continuously deepened cooperation with Chinese enterprises including HCIG, and built many important infrastructure projects, promoting the economic and social development of Kenya. 

He mentioned that water conservancy projects are an important support for Kenya to realize its 2030 Vision Development Plan and the “Four Major Development Goals”. 

He added that during his visit to HCIG commissioned by Kenya’s president William Samoei Ruto, he deeply felt the brand influence, significant advantages, and strong strength of HCIG, and was full of confidence in its development in Kenya. The Ministry of Water, Environmental Sanitation and Irrigation of Kenya will create more favorable conditions and also welcome HCIG to further increase its investment in Kenya, jointly helping to promote exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between the two sides to a new level.

Deng Weiping introduced Hunan’s cooperation with Africa, saying that it is an important part of Hunan’s opening up and development to actively advancing the “Belt and Road” cooperation and build a demonstration highland of local economic and trade cooperation with Africa. 

He said that in recent years, relying on the two national platforms of China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and China-Africa In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation Pilot Zone, the economic and trade exchanges between Hunan and Kenya have become increasingly close and the scope of cooperation has continued to expand.

As the largest foreign economic and trade enterprise in Hunan Province, HCIG has achieved remarkable results in its economic and trade cooperation with Africa over the years, especially with a good foundation and broad prospects for cooperation with Kenya. 

It is hoped that HCIG will further give full play to its comprehensive advantages and promote the implementation of key projects in key areas in Kenya.

Tan Ding welcomed Eric Muriithi Muuga and his delegation, and briefly introduced the relevant situation of the group. 

He mentioned that HCIG is a large state-owned enterprise and a key construction enterprise in Hunan Province. It has the advantage of a full industry chain in the construction field and has achieved significant results in its nearly 60-year international business development. It has been selected as one of the top 250 ENR international contractors for five consecutive years. 

He said that Kenya, as a key country for the group’s international business development, the group will select outstanding employees, gather factor resources, and give full support for the implementation of existing projects under construction in Kenya and expansion of future economic and trade business, constantly deepening practical cooperation between the two sides in more fields, and making greater contributions to higher-quality and higher-level development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.

Eric Muriithi Muuga and his delegation also visited the construction sites of relevant engineering projects of HCIG.