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The Chinese government is really pushing for greater co-operation with the rest of the world, both culturally and economically.
At Enterprise Europe Network in the South West, we recently welcomed to Bristol an official delegation of Chinese government and maritime industry officers from Qingdao in Shandong province. Our aim was to promote collaboration in environmental technologies, marine and information technologies.
Qingdao is one of China’s most important independent coastal regions, with a significant marine economy, and has seen rapid growth over the last decade. The regional population exceeds 9.2 million and its port was ranked seventh in the world in 2010.
Enterprise Europe Network has been working hard to promote closer collaboration between the South West region of the UK and China through such events as the China SME Forum.
From 29-31 October Qingdao will be hosting the 12th EU-China(Qingdao) Business & Technology Cooperation Fair. It provides a showcase for investment, trade and technology opportunities between the EU and China.
We took the delegation to GENeco’s award-winning recycling and renewable energy site in Avonmouth to see how the company has adopted the circular economy model, with treated waste water and food compost. They turn this into agricultural fertilisers and enriched biomethane, to be piped into the gas distribution network.
Further presentations from the South Coast Marine Cluster, the UK’s leading marine industry hub, and the Cornwall Marine Network introduced the Chinese officials to South West businesses and connections in marine technology and Innovation.
The delegation’s visit was part of the Chinese government’s ‘One Belt and One Road’ programme. It aims to create the world’s largest platform for economic cooperation, including policy co-ordination, trade and financing collaboration, along with social and cultural co-operation.
It has identified a significant sub-set of marine sectors in addition to environmental and energy-saving industries. The South West is home to the UK’s largest marine cluster and has innovative companies in the environmental technology and circular economy.
Hosting this delegation is just one of many ways our EEN team in the South West is supporting businesses looking for partners in China. Look out for other events that can help you do business there.
