Chinese investors scope Wolverhampton for new opportunities
A DELEGATION of Chinese investors is heading to Wolverhampton to assess the city’s prospects for new trade agreements.
Chinese investment in the city has come under the spotlight in the last few months following the high profile takeover of Wolverhampton Wanderers – one of three football clubs in the West Midlands to be sold to Chinese businessmen this summer.
Infrastructure, property development and the area’s strong manufacturing sector are all expected to come under scrutiny during the visit, which has been arranged as part of Wolverhampton Business Week.
The 10-strong delegation, which will be visiting between September 27 and 30, is from Anqing, which is situated in the southwestern part of the Anhui province, a short flight from Shanghai.
The delegates will be visiting civic and business leaders to network and exchange ideas, with a view to entering into future investment and partnership opportunities in Wolverhampton.
During their visit they will be shown around the i54 site – home of Jaguar Land Rover’s £0.5bn, Tata Steel in Wednesfield, and Marston’s Brewery in the city centre.
Cllr John Reynolds, cabinet member for City Economy, said: “This is the third annual Wolverhampton Business Week and it is really helping put the city on the map.
“We are honoured to be hosting the Anqing delegation and look forward to showing them more closely what the council and its partners have to offer as a city.
“Hopefully we can build a lasting relationship with them that benefits both our cities.”
The delegation will be greeted by City of Wolverhampton Council’s leader, Cllr Roger Lawrence, its managing director, Keith Ireland, and strategic director for place, Tim Johnson.
The delegation will also be attending the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Barry Findlay’s investors reception, and a meeting with strategic city partners.
Meanwhile, Business Week will also see the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Exhibition, which this year takes place on September 29 at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
The exhibition will see displays from 70 organisations – up from last year’s 54 – and is expected to attract hundreds of visitors.
The exhibitors are from a range of different sectors including manufacturing, retail, service sector, training, and others.
