Good Things Come In Threes

Another day of success for team Mollie and Kyla! We began our day with an interview at ZTE Kenya, a huge Chinese-based telecommunications company. They work mostly with the Orange network in Kenya, including installation of all 3G networks. They are also working on a government project establishing an intra-governmental communications system between all municipal offices. Our two representatives were extremely helpful and provided exactly the information we needed, including an audit report!

While we were in the neighborhood we decided to drop in to Startimes Media, a huge Chinese television provider in Kenya. They have a relationship with PanAfrica Network, another Chinese firm that just received a contract to digitize TV in Kenya. A major player! The office was beautiful and extremely busy, but we managed to speak with a marketing manager and her assistant. They took our information form and advised us to return tomorrow for the answers. Hopefully we will be able to get some good information about the company. The both seemed nice and eager to help, so I have a good feeling.

On our walk back to the matatu stage (aka bus stop), we passed by a construction site for HydroChina Huadong Engineering Co., Ltd. We knocked on the gate and were able to score an interview with one of the managers on site. Like our friends at ZTE, he provided a lot of great information about the company and their work in Kenya.

The afternoon was spent scheduling more meetings, updating the contacts spreadsheet with non-working phone numbers and bounced email addresses, and investigating the corporate structures of many Chinese firms. I am continually amazed at the number of subsidiary companies, holding companies, name changes, etc. that corporations go through in their history. Truly mind-boggling!

13 companies down, 130 to go :) As we keep interviewing and digging, the more companies we uncover. If we can get through 1/3 of the list, I'd be satisfied with our work!

Tomorrow we have meetings with COVEC and are hoping to drop by SinoHydro and the China Center. Here's to many productive days ahead!