China visit promises business opportunities
REGIONAL development agency Yorkshire Forward is once again joining forces with law firm DLA Piper for a high profile visit to five key cities in China.
Yorkshire Forward chairman Terry Hodgkinson and DLA Piper’s Far East specialist Josh Wong will lead the road show and speak at the launch event in Ningbo, Zhejiang.
The two week road show is part of the Zhejiang Trade and Investment Symposium – one of the largest events of its kind in China – with more than 10,000 delegates expected.
In what is seen as a major coup for the region, Yorkshire will be one of only three regions in the world to present to delegates at the symposium.
Delegates will also visit Chinese companies and senior officials in Wuxi, Chengdu, Beijing and Liyang to discuss the financial climate in the UK and specific opportunities in Yorkshire region.
Mr Wong said: “Chinese companies are still looking to expand in new markets overseas, encouraged by the Chinese government’s call to globalise.
“Rather than being discouraged by the worldwide economic downturn, they are sensing new opportunities and are more determined than ever to pursue these as domestic growth slows.”
Yorkshire Forward is one of the few regional development agencies to have an office in China and has already been successful in attracting Chinese businesses to this region.
David Shepherd, international business development manager at Yorkshire Forward said: “There is strong interest from the Chinese market towards investing in the Yorkshire and Humber region – in the last three years 24 Chinese owned companies have established or expanded their operations here.”
He continued: “We will be using this mission to showcase our strengths in some of the sectors of special interest to China, such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing and environmental technology to maximise on further investment opportunities.”
The road show will also be supported by representatives of Yorkshire companies who have significant investments in China including the Charlesworth Group, Cooper & Turner, AWI and Strategic Solutions Worldwide.
