Member Article

Newcastle-headquartered law firm heads to China on link-building mission

Newcastle-headquartered law firm Ward Hadaway is hoping to forge global links this week, as it sends a delegation to an international business conference in China.

The event, which takes place from May 12 to 14, will see delegates from around the world meet up with representatives of more than 600 companies across China to help forge new trade links.

In China, the Ward Hadaway delegation will be holding face to face meetings with delegates with a number of Chinese businesses. The firm was invited to the event by Bank of China and will be among more than 50 delegates from the UK attending the conference.

Head of Commercial Colin Hewitt and Commercial Litigation Partner Elaine Chan will be heading to the city of Xi’an in Western China for the China-Shaanxi SME Cross-Border Investment and Trade Cooperation Conference.

Elaine explained the ‘great opportunity’ presented by the conference to create new busines links.

She said: “We will be there to see if we can help facilitate trade, co-operation, investment or joint ventures between these companies and the UK so it promises to be an interesting and exciting trip.

“Xi’an where the conference is taking place is the capital city of Shaanxi Province and is known as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road – the famous trade route between China and the west – so it is quite an appropriate venue.

“These days Xi’an is the permanent site for the Euro-Asia Economic Forum and an economic powerhouse in Western China with industries including engineering, aerospace, agriculture and in particular a thriving hi-tech sector.

“It is also the home town of the current Chinese President Xi Jinping and is recognised as an important location for overseas companies and investors.”

Colin Hewitt added: “Whilst these discussions are the very start of potential commercial developments, it is clear that there is a real appetite amongst companies in China to do more business with the UK and through the UK, Europe.

“We have a significant number of face to face meetings already lined up with companies operating in a wide range of different sectors.

“It promises to be a fascinating and productive visit and we are looking forward to spreading the word about our capabilities as a law firm to further international trade and commerce.

“We have a strong track record of supporting inward investment projects in the UK and we hope that this latest initiative proves to be equally successful.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →