Reliable market
processing and packaging anchovies bought from local fishermen in Kwale.
The Chinese firm’s quest to inject fresh vitality into the local blue economy has made the Kenyan government optimistic about the prospects of the exports of processed anchovy products to the vast Asian market and job creation for the youth in Kenya’s coastal areas.
“Employment is the top priority for President William Ruto’s government; we will give Huawen the required support to make it grow,” Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya said recently while flagging off the first consignment of anchovies destined for the Chinese market from Kwale.
The establishment of the factory has enlarged revenue streams for local artisanal fishermen, created new jobs, and boosted the ongoing efforts to inject vibrancy into Kenya’s fisheries sector.
The first batch of anchovies from the Kenyan coast were showcased at the third edition of the recently held China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, the capital of central China’s Hunan Province.
“This is the first batch of export to China and we hope for win-win economic and trade cooperation between China and Kenya. We are happy to be in Kwale providing work opportunities to the local people,” Huawen Managing Director Liu Zhiyong said.
Liu elaborated that the company provides direct and indirect employment to the residents as it buys fish from local fishermen, thus contributing to the improvement of their livelihoods.
Additionally, as a way of capacity building for the fishermen, the company is planning to offer training on modern vessels, new technology and equipment, so as to maximise production, create more employment opportunities, and strengthen relationship with the community.
Analysts say the investment by the seafood company brings an exceptional opportunity to local fishermen by assuring a reliable market for their catch, hence spurring the growth of the local blue economy.
Speaking at the flagging-off event, Fatuma Masito, a member of parliament from Kwale County, stressed that the occasion comes at a time when the local people are looking up to the ocean as one of their only sources of economic empowerment.
The lawmaker urged management of the factory to give the residents highest priority in recruitment as it makes plans to increase its workforce from the current 150 to 500 in the coming months.
The Kenya Fisheries Service revealed that over 350 kg of anchovies earmarked for shipment to China are part of the 70 tonnes already processed at Kibuyuni in Shimoni area of Kwale by Huawen.
“The recent flagging-off ceremony of the first batch of anchovies destined for China is a reassurance that the economy of this fishing county will be revived,” said Hussein Juma, a local fisherman.