Chinese relationship boost for South Yorkshire

SHEFFIELD is continuing to develop its business relationship with Chinese city Chengdu by a hosting a visit from a key member of the China Britain Business Council (CBBC).

Sophie Bao, manager of CBBC Chengdu met with key Sheffield business leaders to discuss ways of building and strengthening the existing relationship between the two cities.

Sheffield already has strong links with China since city development company Creativesheffield brought together partners in the city to form the Sheffield China Business Network last year.

This has the aim of facilitating trade and investment between Sheffield and China.

Sheffield is also currently in the process of investigating a partner city agreement with Chengdu – the capital of the Sichuan province in South West China.

Andy Cantrill, chair of the Sheffield China Business Network and senior international business manager for HSBC in Sheffield, said: “As the UK economy continues to contract we need to encourage Sheffield companies to engage in the rapidly growing Chinese market.

“In 2009 the Chinese economy is predicted to grow by 8%, and by 2050 China is predicted to be the world’s largest economy with a middle class of at least 520 million people, which is larger than the current population of the European Union.”

Daniel Klemm, international manager at Creativesheffield, said: “The nature of the Chinese culture is that strong relationships need to be formed before business can be conducted. It is therefore important to use opportunities like these to further strengthen our links with China.

Chengdu expert Sophie Bao said: “Chengdu is a major economic centre in Southwest China, with a population of almost 12 million people and a total GDP of more than 390 billion Chinese Yuan (£35bn).

Chengdu has been named as a “boomtown” by Forbes Business Magazine, and was classified as one of only seven emerging global cities.