With three trillion dollars in reserves, the Chinese are on the lookout for opportunities to invest, says Professor Jason Zunsheng Yin, a Chinese born scholar who chairs the Management Department at Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University in USA.

Prof Yin, a visiting professor of Strathmore Business School (SBS) believes that Africa and particularly Kenya is attractive to China. Why? Unlike Europe or North America which have very competitive and structured markets, Africa does not have high entry barriers. And African culture is also inviting.

The scholar was speaking at a lunch meeting organized by Strathmore Alumni Liaison Office (SALO) and SBS at the Stanley Hotel on Friday, 5th October 2007 in the company of his wife Mrs Yin Lisa.

Mrs Yin added the fact that Kenya is English speaking is a plus as English is currently the language of global business and most Chinese interested in investing abroad know Basic English.

Mrs Yin echoed the words of the wife of the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, Madam Shirley on Kenyan English and hospitality when she said said that Africans and Kenyans in particular are renowned for their hospitality and that is another plus.

Prof Yin said Kenya should promote itself as a tourist destination in China and said the Chinese would be thrilled to tour Kenya. "I have been on safari and what I have seen would excite the Chinese," he said.

Speaking at the function, Mr David Owino, Investment Manager, ICDC-I said the business environment in Kenya was still too closed and the Kenyan market was also small.

"I get investors from all over the world looking for opportunities. But when an investor comes with U$500 million, then we have to involve the government. And doing business with any government anywhere is tedious,"
he said.

"Unfortunately, our economy hasn't grown to have players who can partner with investors of that magnitude. Kenya and other governments in East Africa need to change their business regime for them to be attractive to big investors," he said.

However, it is not all gloom. Mr Owino said there are many small and medium Kenya entrepreneurs who are ready to do business with China and the challenge is to link these Kenyans with Chinese businesses operating at the same level.

Lack of funds has been cited as a major impediment to the growth of small and medium enterprises in the country. It sounds like China might be part of the solution.

Prof Yin's specialties are strategic management and international business. Several Kenyan business people consulted him on doing business with China. He said he is looking forward to coming back to Kenya next year.

Prof Yin has written and edited 22 academic books in both English and Chinese on technology transfer, modern business management, and economic reform.  The 12-volume book series he edited, Modern Business Management (published by Shanghai People's Press) won the National Award of Best Ten Books on Economics and Business in China.  His papers on WTO trade disputes won awards from two prestigious academic organizations i.e. Academy of Management and Academy of International Business.