Chinese delegation to open up ‘major’ Northern Powerhouse investment opportunities

A Chinese business delegation will land in the North later this month seeking new commercial partnerships across the Northern Powerhouse.

Comprising members of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the China Chamber of Commerce UK (CCCUK) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the group will attend the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference and Exhibition in Manchester Central, where its members will conduct meetings with business leaders from key Northern cities.

It is hoped the team’s presence at the conference, to be held February 21 and 22, will create an opportunity for Northern firms to meet those directly responsible for Chinese investment in the North.

While the delegation is especially keen to meet growing businesses from the fields of advanced manufacturing, aerospace and healthcare, it has emphasised that there will be opportunities for companies from all sectors.

Also attending the Manchester event are Mr Xu Jin, Minister Counsellor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the UK Chinese Embassy, and Mr Ning Lin, the Director General of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Of all the Northern Powerhouse cities, Manchester and Sheffield have been the focus of Chinese investment to date, but Minister Counsellor Jin said there is much potential for future collaboration elsewhere in the region.

He commented: “The Northern Powerhouse offers major investment opportunities for China. Cities across the North of England all have deep culture and history in a variety of different sectors and industries, including creative, trade, telecommunications, healthcare, high-level manufacturing and R&D.

“China remains open to business opportunities with these sectors from across the region and we are eager to hear more from growing businesses who could benefit from Chinese partners.”

He added: “Now is the perfect time for the UK and China to collaborate, join forces and forge lasting trade relationships.”

As the UK’s largest cross-sectoral gathering of Northern companies, the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference and Exhibition is forecast to attract over 3,000 delegates.

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