Cementing Chinese trading relation (From Business in Dorset)

Cementing Chinese trading relation

7:32am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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Dear Sir, China has featured prominently for a number of Chambers recently. Trade missions have taken place, the British Chambers of Commerce visited the country in early April, and as many of you will know, our annual business convention played host to a hugely successful UK-China business forum - an occasion which matched Chamber members with visiting Chinese firms.

A close relationship is clearly being forged between our colleagues and partners in China and this is a development we should be striving to cement as a network.

I would like to take this opportunity to briefly update Chambers on the BCC's recent visit to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xian - all key Chinese market centres.

Much was achieved on a trip which involved more than twenty high level meetings and events in just eight days away. Our delegation met with national leaders, company managers, local trade and investment officers, and regional Chambers. We spoke to numerous companies in major trade seminars and press interviews, visited trading markets and toured an impressive joint-venture factory.

Having met with high profile representatives from government and business in these four commercial centres, it is now very apparent to me that a number of specific areas could be exploited by small UK-based businesses. Of course, these businesses must be given the right support and advice about how to do this, but I believe Chambers of Commerce are especially well placed to deliver in this regard.

The UK-China business forum at the annual convention is also worth recapping here, for the benefit of members unable to make the trip to Liverpool this year. As is the usual style at events such as these, speeches kicked off the programme and we were fortunate to have the Chinese Embassy's councillor for trade and the economy presenting to the many attendees.

Madam Fan Jiang emphasised the strong trading links between our two countries since China opened up its markets to foreign companies 36 years ago. She was unflinching in her assurances that UK-China trade was essential for mutual economic growth.

The high-tech industry's trade was specifically highlighted, as it generates a staggering £700 million annually. Scotch whisky was also mentioned as the UK currently exports £60 million worth of the fine amber liquid to China every year.

Our Prime Minister has set a target of increasing trade between the UK and China and India to $60 billion by 2010. This could be achieved earlier than that, and it is important that Chamber members are aware of the opportunities that exist in these markets. However, experience and research is crucial to making the most of the available opportunities, especially those in China, and I would urge businesses to remember this rather than blindly leaping into a very different and distant marketplace.

Peter Mileham, President of the British Chambers of Commerce

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