On Saturday 16 September 2017 representatives from eleven local food and drink companies from across the South West departed from Bristol Airport to China for a five-day trade mission aimed at securing new sales in the Middle Kingdom.
The delegates will fly with KLM via the hub airport of Amsterdam.
This trade mission will give businesses from around the region the opportunity to build stronger business links with China and to showcase local products to a fast-growing market. Business West and the China-Britain Business Council have organised the visit, with Santander, Milsted Langdon and Clarke Willmott providing sponsorship and their own local contacts to the delegates.
Business West’s China Market Specialist, Jonathan Smith, said:
“There are few things more important to the future of the British economy than ensuring our companies trade globally and there are few markets more important than China. Sales of British food and drink products to China are up by around a third compared to last year, so we know there’s demand out there. We’ve tried our best to create the best chance for companies involved in this trade mission to secure sales and I am confident they will see results.”
“Bristol is certainly in the China limelight this year”, says Antoaneta Becker, CBBC director, who has worked with the companies to prepare them for a China launch. “On September 26, Bristol will also play host to the SME China Forum – an annual flagship event organised by CBBC, and this year supported by Business West, to help more local companies trade with China. Bristol is full of innovative companies, and with the right advice, I am confident they can be very successful in China.”
Nigel Scott, Business Development Director, Bristol Airport said:
“We are delighted to be the gateway to China for this international delegation. The South West region has a wealth of high quality local producers and China offers new exporting opportunities. Bristol Airport flies to over 120 direct destinations and, by using the larger European hub airports such as Amsterdam, provides connectivity beyond Europe and the stress-free travel options businesses require.”
Having invested more than £160 million in new infrastructure and facilities since 2010, Bristol Airport is well positioned to serve passengers across the South West of the UK, and also provides a gateway to the region for international visitors. This has resulted in the Airport being rated number one in the UK for overall customer satisfaction by ASQ, the benchmarking programme run by Airports Council International.
Throughout 2017, Bristol Airport will be celebrating 60 years at its current site. As well as looking back on a rich aviation history, work will begin on an updated Master Plan which will consider how best to meet growing demand for air travel to and from the South West and South Wales over the next two decades. The views of customers, employees, neighbours and others stakeholders will be vital in helping to shape the Airport’s vision for the future.
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