Delegation from China visits Leigh Court to strengthen trade links with Bristol and the West of England

Author
James Durie
Chief Executive - Bristol Chamber & Initiative | Business West
26th November 2018

Business West Chambers of Commerce welcomed a delegation of business leaders from the Shandong Province Chamber of Commerce to Leigh Court this week to help strengthen trade links between this important region of China and Bristol, Bath and the West of England.

The delegation is visiting the UK to develop a better understanding of the British economy and explore investment opportunities and in particular chose to visit Bristol and the West of England as they recognise it has the best performing economy outside of London and the South East, and a growing reputation for collaboration, innovation and enterprise.

Roundtable talks focused on exploring the possibilities of business cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in UK and China, in addition to outlining the role of Business West’s International Trade Centre in facilitating trade and commerce with China.

James Durie, Chief Executive of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative at Business West and a board member of the West of England LEP comments:

“We were delighted to welcome our counterparts from the Shandong Province Chamber of Commerce and explore how we could look to create new opportunities from our businesses to trade & export with each other. Despite so much media airtime being devoted to Brexit, at Business West we continue to work very hard with many partners and our members to help and support companies in the SW and beyond, at all stages of the export journey – from market research to overseas market visits, finding buyers to fulfilling export documentation – right up to ensuring payment is received.”

Paul Hardman, Director at Gregg Latchams Solictors, attended the event and comments:

“We have been working with Chinese companies coming to the UK and UK companies going to China for 8 years and it is encouraging to see how the UK’s relationship with China is maturing. Initially, State Owned Enterprises were dominant but now we are seeing delegation like this one from Shandong Province who are building a platform for SME’s on both sides to learn from each other and do business. Organisations like Business West and my own firm are an excellent way for UK SME’s to connect into this new development."

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