Unique China trade opportunity for Gloucestershire businesses set for take off

Led by GFirst LEP and Gloucestershire County Council, local businesses are today flying from Heathrow Airport to the Wuhou District of China, to visit Gloucestershire’s trade partners.

Following in the footsteps of the Chancellor, the reciprocal visit will strengthen and develop trade relationships and encourage export links with Chengdu City, to result in economic growth in the county. 

Whilst Gloucestershire’s biggest companies already thrive globally, four SMEs in Gloucestershire are being given an exciting international opportunity to join GFirst LEP and Gloucestershire County Council leaders; the Royal Agricultural University, Green Fuels, National Star College and Prospects Training Services. Businesses will meet and inform Chinese Government officials of the products and services that Gloucestershire has to offer - in order to encourage export links, and create a foundation of economic and cultural understanding. 

GFirst LEP and Gloucestershire County Council’s reciprocal visit to China is building on the trade agreement that was signed back in 2013 alongside Join In China and a visit from a Wuhou delegation in December last year, in order to grow the county’s profile as a great place to live, work, learn and invest.

David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst LEP, commented: “The reciprocal trade visit with the Chinese Government officials is a great way to build on our export relationships, and with the addition of local businesses on this visit we can really showcase what our county has to offer, whilst kick starting those business conversations. The trade agreement is backed fully by the Wuhou Government which gives our local businesses a unique investment opportunity, which will encourage sustainable investment from China for the future.” 

Peter Bungard, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire County Council said: “This really is an exciting opportunity for our economy.  Wuhou contains the central business district of Chengdu, one of China’s great cities, and the capital of Sichuan province. This visit will create our front door into business with China, at a level of trust and engagement that can be used by every size of business.”

Nigel Milton, Director of External Affairs at Heathrow Airport, said: “We wish Gloucestershire every success with their trade mission leaving Heathrow today.  If the UK is to be China’s best partner in the west – trade delegations like this must be able to get there with direct and frequent flights, rather than relying on Britain’s European competitors.” 

Watch the BBC Points West interview with David Owen, GFirst LEP and Simon King, Royal Agricultural University here.