Member Article

Stockport Council hosts Chinese delegation

Senior Chinese officials from the country’s Jinan province visited the Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) in Broadstone Mill on 26th October.

The 15-strong Chinese delegation visited SBIC’s offices to look at opportunities for trade and how the region helps to develop small and medium-sized enterprises.

The event was hosted by Stockport Council’s Leader, Councillor Sue Derbyshire, and the group also received presentations from Caroline Cain from MIDAS, Sue Barnard from the Business Growth Hub, Sharon Mayo from Stockport Council, and Clive Memmott from the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

The group were welcomed to Stockport and were provided with a tour of SBIC, meeting local businesses including Peng Xu from First Smart Technology, who has based his new smart metering business at SBIC.

Peng, originally from China, but now a tenant at SBIC, was also able to share his experience of setting up a business and working in the UK. The group also met local firms Ultimedia and AAI Logistics, which has 80% of its business associated with the Chinese market.

During the visit the group received information on the range of support provided to new and existing businesses in Greater Manchester and support to international businesses.

Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader at Stockport Council, said: “I’m delighted that the SBIC was able to host this meeting which helps develop our links with China. This was a very productive event which gave both groups the opportunity to share best practices on trade and investment, an d to consider ways of working together in the future.”

John Booth, SBIC’s Centre Manager, said: “We were more than happy to host the Jinan delegation, and particularly to introduce the group to several of the exceptional businesses located in the Stockport Business and Innovation centre.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Welton .