Kenyan firms will participate in the upcoming second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai to exhibit their products in a push to grow trade with China.

Kenyan business leaders are optimistic that the 2nd CIIE will further expose the east African nation's products to the Chinese market. These include tea, coffee, flowers, herbs and avocados, which are the country's top foreign exchange-earners.

George Kiondo, the acting chief executive officer of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), a trade lobby group, said the expo comes as China and Kenya move to strengthen bilateral ties and trade.

"The exhibition is very important to our members and Kenya in general as it helps expose us to opportunities in China," Kiondo told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Kiondo observed that CIIE offers a good marketplace for Kenyan companies because they are able to showcase their products.

"I can confidently say that the expo is good for the economic and social growth of Kenya," he said, adding the country needs such events for exposure.

According to him, through the expo, Kenyan firms will learn the aspects of manufacturing especially value addition, and build capacity so that they can produce more.

One of the things the KNCCI will be looking at is establishing joint ventures with Chinese industrialists in a bid to expand the east African nation's manufacturing base, according to Richard Ngati, president of the institution.

Hosea Machuki, chief executive officer of Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya, said that China is a promising emerging market for horticultural produce from Kenya.

"With a population of 1.4 billion people, Kenya should tap into the market for all kinds of fresh produce including fruits, vegetables and herbs," he said.

According to him, initially, avocados from Kenya used to access the Chinese market indirectly, but the hurdle was removed following the signing of the export deal between Kenya and China.

"Kenya's trade with China has grown due to the rise in bilateral ties and exhibitions that have exposed traders to opportunities in the Asian nation. "