The popular China Square retail shop in Nairobi has resumed its normal operations after the government concluded fruitful discussions with the Chinese business community in Kenya.

Reopening of the shop located at the Unicity Mall along Thika Road comes a week after its owner Lei Cheng announced its indefinite closure due to controversy over its pricing model.

Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce on Monday lauded the reopening of China Square expressing optimism all traders will operate in a fare, equal and conducive atmosphere.

“The Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce welcomes the good news on the resumption of operations of China Square this follows several engagements between the Kenya Government and the Chinese Community in Kenya to reach an amicable solution to the stalemate and cooperation,” read the Chamber’s statement in part.

The Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce undertook to continue enhancing the working relationship between Kenya and China to foster investment by traders from both countries.

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The Chinese Chamber thanked the Kenya government headed by President William Ruto for permitting Chinese traders to conduct their businesses in the country to grow the economy.

“We appreciate Kenya’s government support in allowing the Chinese Community to do business and contribute to Kenya’s growth and development efforts through employment creation and contribution to Kenya’s tax revenue,” added the chamber.

Moses Kuria. PHOTO/COURTESY

China Square on Sunday February 26 announced its indefinite closure amid a spat with Trade and Investment CS Moses Kuria, who accused it of unfairly competing with small scale traders.

Kuria was to later claim, in a series of posts on social media, that he would enable the Chinese investor to establish a factory instead and work with local traders and proposed that the shop at Unicity Mall sells 'Made in Kenya' products exclusively.

On Tuesday, police dispersed hundreds of traders from Nyamakima, Kamukunji and Dubois in Nairobi who were protesting against the shop for selling goods at much cheaper rates.

The irate traders from downtown Nairobi were demanding that the government protects their businesses from what they alleged to be an invasion by traders of Chinese descent.