Manchester Airport ramps up China links with Hallé and UKTI

MANCHESTER Airport’s drive to persuade a Chinese airline to launch direct flights is being stepped up by support of and participation in a key cultural and trade mission to China this autumn.

The airport is joining the city’s famous Hallé Orchestra, on its first tour to China and is also taking part in a UKTI trade mission to increase exports from the North West.

Senior executives from Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and The Hallé will be visiting China next month. Working with trade agency UK Trade & Investment the aim is to promote business relationships between the two countries.

UKTI, the government body which encourages British businesses to trade abroad, is looking for SMEs in the North West who want the chance to join the trip on a trade mission to China.

Businesses that sign up may be eligible for government grants to help with travelling costs.  They will have the opportunity to attend a reception at the British Ambassador’s residence in Beijing, and Hallé performances at the Poly Theatre and Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing.

Clive Drinkwater, UKTI’s regional director in the North West, said: “The Hallé is renowned across the world and I’m sure the opportunity to meet some of the musicians, or to see a live performance, will be an extra incentive for Chinese businesses to do deals with firms in the North West.

“China is already one of our biggest customers but there’s still a lot more potential to increase exports to the country. The trade mission is open to all industries but may be of particular interest to the services sector, which currently makes up 44% of the Chinese economy.

“I’d encourage firms who are already doing a small amount of business with China, or who think there might be a market for them in the country, to sign up to the mission and help boost their exports.”

MAG, Manchester Airport’s parent company, is targeting growth markets in the Far East as its looks to widen its route network. A direct passenger service between Manchester and China is a strategic ambition for both MAG and its North West partners.

Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer for MAG said: “We want to provide direct connectivity to China for the 200,000 passengers who currently have to hub via London and beyond, this trade mission is an important step forward as part of our wider plans.

“Trade with China from the North West continues to increase so we are delighted to continue to support the world-renowned Halle Orchestra and showcase what the North West has to offer at the same time.  Manchester airport is the North West’s international gateway and we have much to offer airlines as they look to service this growing market.

“A direct service will be beneficial to the whole of Greater Manchester and every SME wanting to expand into the Asia Pacific region from the North.”

The group recently signed a partnership agreement with UBM Aviation, the owners of Airport Strategy & Marketing Ltd (ASM) and Routes, as part of its strategy to broaden the airline network into the growth market of Asia.

Last year Manchester was named the sister airport to Beijing Capital International Airport – the second largest in the world, which handles 74 million passengers a year. MAG is also aiming to attract global firms to Airport City – its £650m Enterprise Zone project on the Manchester Airport site.

Manchester is already home to the third largest Chinese population in Europe as well as enjoying trade links that were worth over £4bn in 2010.

The Hallé’s first tour of mainland China will see it perform three concerts – two in Beijing and one in Tianjin. Its  visit to China, with the UKTI trade mission, will showcase the excellence of Manchester’s cultural and business institutions.

Hallé music director and rincipal conductor Sir Mark Elder said: “This is an important and exciting opportunity for the Hallé, which would not have been possible without the long-term support of our principal sponsor Manchester Airport.

“In these challenging times, the close relationship between the Hallé and Manchester’s business community – which has existed from the Orchestra’s first concert 154 years ago – is more important than ever.”