NAIROBI, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya-based Chinese ceramics firm, KEDA Ceramics is exploring exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
Li Ruiqin, managing director of KEDA (Kenya) Ceramics said that the company already exports to Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda about 30 percent of all production from its manufacturing facilities in Kenya.
"We are exploring new markets in East and Central Africa such as DRC and South Sudan which have growing demand for ceramic products," Li told Xinhua during a tour of the KEDA Ceramics factory located in Kajiado county about 60 km south of capital city, Nairobi.
KEDA (Kenya) is a joint venture incorporated on 2016 by KEDA Clean Energy and SUNDA international.
Li said that his organization currently has a daily production of 60,000 square meters of ceramic tiles on its 60 acres manufacturing facility.
"We have two tile production lines with an investment amount of over 56 million U.S. dollars (5.7 billion shillings)," he added.
According to KEDA Ceramics, the firm has so far created 1,500 job opportunities, including 1,000 local employees and other jobs in the supply chain and distribution network.
He noted that the firm has a strong localization focus with over 95 percent of its personnel being Kenyans.
Li said that his firm has been able to expand its sales and market share in the East African region due to heavy investments in research which has resulted in production of innovative products.
"We were the first company in Kenya to introduce water proof tiles, which will revolutionize the construction sector," he revealed.
