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Business & Economy

Last chance to join a trade mission to China

The trip, organised by technology and innovation consultancy RTC North, is open to new and established exporters

Companies interested in business opportunities in China will be heading to the Far East at the end of February (Feb 27-March 5) to meet some of Beijing’s industry leaders and research and development networks.

Open to new and established exporters from the North, the trip to one of the world’s most exciting economies has been organised by technology and innovation consultancy, RTC North, as part of the Northern Powerhouse initiative – designed to energise the northern industrial economy.

Part funded by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), RTC North has secured the commitment of leading Chinese technology transfer organisation, Coway International, and arranged for some of the region’s most ambitious companies and leading industry figures to join the delegation.

China is the world’s second-largest economy, with a GDP roughly three times the size of the British economy, according to data from the World Bank. Recently, the Chancellor George Osborne, said he wanted the Asian powerhouse to be Britain’s second largest export market.

In the hope of helping SMEs get access to overseas opportunities, there is funding available to help smaller companies pay for travel costs through UK Trade & Investment.

David Coppock, Regional Director of UKTI North East, said: “China is a growing export market for said. North East businesses with a real demand for our products and services,”  “UKTI support in overseas market introductions and market information services have helped NE businesses achieve £404m worth of exports over the 12 months to Sep 2015 – a year-on-year increase of £140m (53 per cent).

“Beijing is home to many of China’s industrial, research and development and strategic networks making it a perfect location for North East technology businesses to visit, meet contacts and develop partnerships and contracts.”

RTC North CEO, Gordon Ollivere MBE, added: “There is no better market in which to capitalise on high value opportunities than China and no better place to start than in Beijing. We are very fortunate that Arnab Basu MBE has agreed to be the industrial lead for this mission and look forward to benefiting from his experience”.

Arnab Basu is chief executive of radiation detection technology company Kromek Group plc  commented: “This mission is aimed primarily at high growth companies, like Kromek, seeking business opportunities in technology-rich sectors such as healthcare and advanced engineering. We’re honoured to be representing UK business, and the Northern Powerhouse in particular, in taking the lead in strengthening trade links with China, and are grateful for the support provided by the government through the UKTI.”

China remains the world’s most attractive market to many UK companies and Northern Powerhouse, together with UKTI and RTC North, is providing the expert support businesses need to tap into a world of opportunities and fulfill their global potential.

There are only a few places left on this exclusive trade mission, to find out more visit the website https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-powerhouse-trade-mission-to-beijing-tickets-19331672553?aff=ebrowse