The West of England China Bureau has re-arranged departure dates for its trade mission to China this year to enable British businesses to attend high profile business events in Guangzhou and Hong Kong at the end of November and beginning of December.
The mission – which is especially aimed at South West businesses with interests in green waste technology or silicon and semi-conductors, will now run from November 24 to December 2 and will concentrate on the cities of Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Bureau Director Richard Lowe explained: “Our Smart Cities’ China Trade Mission originally included a visit to Shenzhen but by adjusting the schedule we will include a global summit related to these sectors to be held in Hong Kong and a business awards event in Guangzhou which we felt could be more productive for our delegates.
“The mission aims to help locally-based high technology businesses demonstrate their expertise in one of the fastest growing economies in the world as well as assisting firms in securing partners, projects, start up and export opportunities.”
The Pearl River Delta is the largest electronic manufacturing hub in the world and a hot-bed for the semi-conductor market. Electronics is also the region’s largest industry – it produces over 40 per cent of Guangzhou’s output and makes up almost 60 per cent of Hong Kong’s exports.
“Hong Kong and Guangzhou are key cities accounting for a majority of all mobile phone and electronic manufacturing and production in China with an attractive silicon and semiconductor hub and supply chain. Hong Kong is developing its own Silicon Valley through several entrepreneurial organisations influenced by ex-pats from California’s Silicon Valley.”
Technological innovation is being encouraged in high end general chip development, new generation of wireless broadband mobile communication and engineering centre for mobile communications and digital home.
This mission may well attract local firms operating within these high-tech electronic areas too.
A number of key developments are being established in several new science parks in both cities to accelerate and optimise high tech and green tech clusters related to mobile communications and tablet displays and emerging green technology.
“The Hong Kong Secretary of Environment Bureau recently visited Avonmouth with a delegation to learn about our waste management technology, so our follow up mission this year is well timed.”
Richard went on: “Nearer home, Bristol, Bath and the West of England benefits from having the second most well-respected silicon and semi-conductor cluster in the world and from being the UK’s largest low carbon innovation hub with an expertise in waste management. This means it is well placed to support the growing demands for both sub sector industries within the PRD.”
The Mission has been organised by Red Dragon Advisers in Partnership with the West of England China Bureau and other organisations in China and the UK. Funding options for delegates are available through UKTI.
