Over 50 delegates involved in East of England businesses, as diverse as engineering and law, joined us on 15 January to find out more about how to generate and manage business activity in China, particularly during a time of economic uncertainty.
- Trade missions to China planned in March and November
If you’d like to know more please contact Marcus Deeley
- Our key speakers
“Opportunities for UK businesses are in offering niche, specialist products that service and support major projects - think at micro level not macro.’
Chen Wu is Assistant Director at the China-Britain Business Council where he leads on the research and consultancy offerings to UK companies and public sector organisations
Peter Manning’s view on China’s future
“China will succeed - the people have a drive and ambition which is phenomenal and growth is being led by individuals who are pushing government to provide support.”
Peter Manning is Jiangsu Relationship Manager for Essex County Council, speaks Chinese and has lived in China for 4 years
- Top China tips
- Take your time and plan for many visits.
- Plan, plan and then plan again.
- Exhaust all available desk research.
- Use UKTI and CBBC network.
- Identify a particular geographical area and focus on that initially.
- It’s useful to look at city clusters, often highly interrelated.
- Exercise due diligence at all times.
- Restrictive regulations are a challenge but getting better.
- Build your team carefully with the right people who are culturally sensitive.
- Take advantage of talent pool of Chinese graduates who have studied in the UK.
- You may not meet the right people the first time.
- Have a flexible schedule when you visit.
- You can’t operate from the UK only.
- Aim to generate goodwill.
- Make sure you have an excellent lawyer.
- Be careful whom you choose as your agent.
- If you don’t want to appoint an agent recommended to you by a valued Chinese contact, say so politely and early on in the process.
- New regulations are coming in all the time - make sure you understand them by speaking to people on the ground who can speak to someone in government to establish a correct interpretation.
- Develop questionnaires to help evaluate opportunities.
- Consider straight investment.
- Ensure you register your activity correctly to enable repatriation of funds.
- Be committed and plan for the long term.
>> Did you know that...
- Inner Mongolia is rich in natural energy resources.
- Of the 11 software parks in China, 8 are in the 35 cities listed in the report.
- China is officially largest internet user in the world with 298 million users a 40% increase on previous year.
- Chongqing Municipality is the largest City in the world with 32 million people.
- The plan is to build 5 million new buildings in next two decades.
- Drive is on to diversify energy sources and reduce rate of consumption.
- 75% of the population have had water shortages.
- Wuhan is the major centre for optical-electronics centre
- China has long-term commitment to develop a UK style NHS system.
- China is a low cost and practical location for drug development.
- Significant levels of Chinese private equity are looking for investment.
For more detailed information read the Report on 35 cities and 7 sectors identified as being ideal for UK businesses – click here to register for your copy
>> What the delegates said
“Excellent presentation by Chen Wu”Jan Muegge, HTSPE
“Well-organised format, and the thorough knowledge of speakers was excellent as was the networking.”
Hellen Chen, LUMIE
“It’s the right focus at the right time. to look at regional cities.”
William Lambert, Thousand Miles Consulting
