Hunan vice-governor Cao Zhiqiang leads delegation of officials and company representatives to trade show in Nairobi where nearly US$300 million in deals are signed.
Hunan is not an economic heavyweight, but analysts say trade zone can leverage its policies, industries and agricultural links to help the province carve out niche as centre for business between China and Africa.
Africa’s trade deficit expanded to US$64 billion as China recorded a drop in trade with top partners on continent – South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, the DRC and Egypt – which are predominantly resource-rich nations.