Member Article

Manchester creative companies on trade mission to explore Chinese market

Creative companies from Greater Manchester are setting out to increase trade with China next week with a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) visit to Hong Kong and Macao.

Companies hoping to benefit from the visit include Cornerhouse, Manchester’s major international centre for independent film and visual arts.

Artistic Director Sarah Perks will be looking to meet film makers and source content for UK exhibitions and screenings, gather co-commissioning partners and keep an eye on new trends.

Also attending the mission are horror and fantasy specialists Grimm Up North, as well as independent film maker and writer Naomi Pattirane and freelance festival curator Stephen Balshaw who has worked for events including Salford Film Festival, Grimmfest, Kinofilm and the Manchester Kurdish Film Festival.

The trade mission will provide the opportunity to meet key decision makers in Asia. Creative sector companies will be able to gain an understanding of forthcoming developments in the industry and meet major companies in the creative sector Asian supply chains.

This mission coincides with Filmart Hong Kong held between 24 – 27 March. Filmart is Asia’s premier film industry event and one of the world’s top three events of its kind in terms of exhibitor numbers.

This year the visit is especially significant as a result of the new agreement between the UK and China announced by the Prime Minister during the recent UKTI Mission at the end of 2013.

The agreement opens up a major opportunity to film companies looking to get their projects into cinemas in China.

The UK film industry is already relatively active in China with the BFI touring some restored Hitchcock film, BAFTA in Hong Kong and a presence at this summer’s Shanghai International Film Festival. Pinewood Shepperton also formed a joint venture with Chinese media investor Bruno Wu last April.

In addition, the trade mission will take in Macao, which has become a significant gaming and tourism centre in and has even overtaken Las Vegas in gaming revenue. More resorts and infrastructure projects are planned as the industry grows, creating huge demand for goods and services in the creative and hospitality sectors.

Philomena Chen, Head of Asia Pacific Business for UKTI North West who will be leading the mission said: “We are delighted to be returning to Hong Kong and Macau this year with a trade visit comprising some of the region’s leading creative, visual art, independent film and fashion companies.

“This is a great opportunity for North West companies. Hong Kong is the UK’s 2nd largest market in Asia with around 5 billion of UK goods exported there in 2012.

“It’s an open and business-friendly environment that is a major and attractive market in its own right, as well as an ideal springboard into mainland China or a base for regional operations.

“Filmart is an ideal venue to meet internationally renowned producers, distributors, investors and professionals in the film industry, and to network with key industry players and negotiate deals. “In addition Macao is become a significant gaming and tourism centre, deriving over 50% of its GDP from these sectors.

“Macao is a founding member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and has maintained sound economic and trade relations with more than 120 countries and regions. We are very much looking forward to heading out on the visit next week and expect to make significant contacts there.”

The full list of companies attending the trade mission is:

· Amicus Solicitors - Didsbury

· Andy Willis - Manchester

· Commercial Kitchen and Bar Ltd - Cheadle

· DC Brands International Ltd - Manchester

· Greater Manchester Arts Centre (Cornerhouse)

· Grimm up North - Stockport

· KAT Ltd - Southport

· Kukoos Deli Ltd - Manchester

· LanHai Career Management Ltd - Preston

· Naomi Pattirane - Stockport

· Stephen J Balshaw – Salford

· The Recruitment Business - Manchester

· UTC UK Ltd – Heald Green

· Visun International Ltd - Manchester

· Zouk Restaurant Services Ltd - Manchester

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .