Hmmmm.........
Mr. B and I were in a touristy mood this weekend, so we went traipsing through the so called US of A. We were wandering aimlessly through a store deep in the heart of Washington state when we came across a tshirt. Now tshirts are'nt all that exciting, what made this one of particular interest to us was that it said 'made in kenya'. MADE IN KENYA! In a Washington store! Now is'nt that unbelievable!
If you're anything like my husband, you're thinking good for Kenya. I beg to differ. When I was home, I noticed a very disturbing trend. I met many foreign nationals, especially Chinese/Japanese who were in Kenya to do business - many. This resulted in some very interesting debates between B and I on foreign nationals trading in our beloved albeit challenging country. Dont get me wrong, I admire their ruthlesness when it comes to business. But, I only admire it from a distance. If they decide to engage in business and eliminate local businesses in your area - you're in trouble. They have the work ethic, the funding, the motivation, the technology and the unity and loyalty of their government and financial partners. All of which local kenyan business people lack (not to mention our love for all things foreign...).
I was served IN SWAHILI by Japanese/Chinese traders on Biashara street and in other shops in Nairobi, and even as far as Kisumu and Eldoret. Now if that is'nt a real concern for local businessmen then I dont know what will be. I know you're thinking that it evens out because they bring business to us as well - but it does'nt. Most of these nationals bring their own stuff to use, or buy stuff from their own people who own businesses in Kenya. The profits they make in all these businesses are re-invested in their countries, and we really really lose.
Back to the tshirts. Africa, is a vulnerable continent. The population mass, lack of education, and desperation of the masses due to lack of basic needs make us especially vulnerable to exploitation. If sweat shops make their way into the country (if they have'nt already) we're in trouble, and the social and economic impact on us will be devastating. This morning B sent me an article on this same concern voiced by a journalist. Will we listen? I say its definitely time for Kenyans to wake up and smell the coffee - and when I say smell the coffee I mean grade one coffee! Remember how long it took us to get rid of 'some people' who came to our country to 'spread the gospel'? Once, we did'nt know.. if it happens again...
The Chinese are masters of soft power
By Gatonga Kairu (EA Standard)
Chinese business people have landed in African capitals in their thousands.
There is excitement over increasing trade relations between China and Africa. China, unlike the West, is giving a helping hand without asking questions on governance and justice — they call it the principle of non-interference.
It must, however, be noted that there is danger that the advantages of trading with Asia, and especially China, are being grossly exaggerated. This is not to say it is not the way to go — far from it.
However, as we look East, we must carry with us the lessons from our engagement with the West. For starters, there is a huge trade deficit in favour of China, currently standing at $3 billion (Sh200 billion). Trade largely involves the export of African raw materials to China — without any value addition — to meet the huge demand for Chinese industries that grow by the day.
In turn, we import cheap textiles and low quality electronics, forcing indigenous industries to close down. China, like the West, has not helped Africa improve manufacturing and processing. First, its major goal is to get a grip of the continent’s natural resources, specifically oil and minerals.
Second, the trade imbalance has created resentment in African countries, mainly due to the Chinese insatiable need to offload their huge population and labour onto small economies. In Zambia and Tanzania, for instance, Chinese traders are literally competing with hawkers, selling soap, toothbrushes and spoons on the streets.
Watch what will happen once the mega road construction projects start in Kenya. Expect sub-contractors, site foremen and suppliers of even the most basic tools and commodities to be Chinese.
The social and political consequences of killing local small and cottage industries have grave repercussions. Local people feel short-changed, making the reduction of Chinese activity in Zambia’s economy a major issue in the recent elections.
Their enterprises in Africa are also very poor and the investors low quality employers, offering the minimum possible wages. In Kenya, like elsewhere in Africa, among Kenyans working for foreign companies, it is those employed in Chinese firms who earn the lowest incomes in any industry, far below those offered by Indian firms.
The dissent that grows among African populations, more so in the rural areas, is now blamed for the rampant abductions and kidnappings of Chinese workers across the continent.
Third, the Chinese culture of seclusion, excessive secrecy and a general spite for other languages do not point to a people genuinely willing and ready to provide an alternative friend to the West.
You rarely find the Chinese mingling freely with Africans in social and cultural places. Theirs is a totally closed culture, perhaps a hangover or carry-over of the Communist past.
Fourth, there is the risk that Africa is being sucked into an economic and ideological battle, just like it happened during the Cold War. With a mammoth and educated population and an economy growing at a supersonic rate, China, in spite of its protestations, is a serious threat to the dominance of the West, particularly the United States.
Although Western governments are fond of arm-twisting, shifting goalposts and generally playing Big Brother, the Chinese are, on their part, the masters of soft power. Each has its own way of wooing Africa, the beautiful bride laden with nature’s bounty, for their grabbing.
Africa has not earned money worth talking about from its trade with China although numerous tonnes of minerals and gallons of oil have gone to the Asian giant. The continent must realistically re-examine its political, social, economic and cultural relations with China, failing which it will get a raw deal – again!
The writer is an economist in telecommunications and civil engineering
gatongak@gmail.com
If you're anything like my husband, you're thinking good for Kenya. I beg to differ. When I was home, I noticed a very disturbing trend. I met many foreign nationals, especially Chinese/Japanese who were in Kenya to do business - many. This resulted in some very interesting debates between B and I on foreign nationals trading in our beloved albeit challenging country. Dont get me wrong, I admire their ruthlesness when it comes to business. But, I only admire it from a distance. If they decide to engage in business and eliminate local businesses in your area - you're in trouble. They have the work ethic, the funding, the motivation, the technology and the unity and loyalty of their government and financial partners. All of which local kenyan business people lack (not to mention our love for all things foreign...).
I was served IN SWAHILI by Japanese/Chinese traders on Biashara street and in other shops in Nairobi, and even as far as Kisumu and Eldoret. Now if that is'nt a real concern for local businessmen then I dont know what will be. I know you're thinking that it evens out because they bring business to us as well - but it does'nt. Most of these nationals bring their own stuff to use, or buy stuff from their own people who own businesses in Kenya. The profits they make in all these businesses are re-invested in their countries, and we really really lose.
Back to the tshirts. Africa, is a vulnerable continent. The population mass, lack of education, and desperation of the masses due to lack of basic needs make us especially vulnerable to exploitation. If sweat shops make their way into the country (if they have'nt already) we're in trouble, and the social and economic impact on us will be devastating. This morning B sent me an article on this same concern voiced by a journalist. Will we listen? I say its definitely time for Kenyans to wake up and smell the coffee - and when I say smell the coffee I mean grade one coffee! Remember how long it took us to get rid of 'some people' who came to our country to 'spread the gospel'? Once, we did'nt know.. if it happens again...
The Chinese are masters of soft power
By Gatonga Kairu (EA Standard)
Chinese business people have landed in African capitals in their thousands.
There is excitement over increasing trade relations between China and Africa. China, unlike the West, is giving a helping hand without asking questions on governance and justice — they call it the principle of non-interference.
It must, however, be noted that there is danger that the advantages of trading with Asia, and especially China, are being grossly exaggerated. This is not to say it is not the way to go — far from it.
However, as we look East, we must carry with us the lessons from our engagement with the West. For starters, there is a huge trade deficit in favour of China, currently standing at $3 billion (Sh200 billion). Trade largely involves the export of African raw materials to China — without any value addition — to meet the huge demand for Chinese industries that grow by the day.
In turn, we import cheap textiles and low quality electronics, forcing indigenous industries to close down. China, like the West, has not helped Africa improve manufacturing and processing. First, its major goal is to get a grip of the continent’s natural resources, specifically oil and minerals.
Second, the trade imbalance has created resentment in African countries, mainly due to the Chinese insatiable need to offload their huge population and labour onto small economies. In Zambia and Tanzania, for instance, Chinese traders are literally competing with hawkers, selling soap, toothbrushes and spoons on the streets.
Watch what will happen once the mega road construction projects start in Kenya. Expect sub-contractors, site foremen and suppliers of even the most basic tools and commodities to be Chinese.
The social and political consequences of killing local small and cottage industries have grave repercussions. Local people feel short-changed, making the reduction of Chinese activity in Zambia’s economy a major issue in the recent elections.
Their enterprises in Africa are also very poor and the investors low quality employers, offering the minimum possible wages. In Kenya, like elsewhere in Africa, among Kenyans working for foreign companies, it is those employed in Chinese firms who earn the lowest incomes in any industry, far below those offered by Indian firms.
The dissent that grows among African populations, more so in the rural areas, is now blamed for the rampant abductions and kidnappings of Chinese workers across the continent.
Third, the Chinese culture of seclusion, excessive secrecy and a general spite for other languages do not point to a people genuinely willing and ready to provide an alternative friend to the West.
You rarely find the Chinese mingling freely with Africans in social and cultural places. Theirs is a totally closed culture, perhaps a hangover or carry-over of the Communist past.
Fourth, there is the risk that Africa is being sucked into an economic and ideological battle, just like it happened during the Cold War. With a mammoth and educated population and an economy growing at a supersonic rate, China, in spite of its protestations, is a serious threat to the dominance of the West, particularly the United States.
Although Western governments are fond of arm-twisting, shifting goalposts and generally playing Big Brother, the Chinese are, on their part, the masters of soft power. Each has its own way of wooing Africa, the beautiful bride laden with nature’s bounty, for their grabbing.
Africa has not earned money worth talking about from its trade with China although numerous tonnes of minerals and gallons of oil have gone to the Asian giant. The continent must realistically re-examine its political, social, economic and cultural relations with China, failing which it will get a raw deal – again!
The writer is an economist in telecommunications and civil engineering
gatongak@gmail.com
posted by Wasiwasi at 11:29 AM
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