Welsh businesses will spend the next fortnight in the Chinese cities of Chongqing, Chengdu and Shanghai as part of the Welsh Government’s multi-sector trade mission.
There are 11 Welsh firms and universities visiting the Asian economy across the three trips in an effort to build on the business, cultural and educational links between Wales and China.
One of those companies, Llanelli-based Weldwide Solutions, which provides weld purging equipment as well as pipe clamps and stands, is visiting Chengdu (31 Oct – 3 Nov) to build on contacts it made during a visit to China in March this year.
Other participants include Circuit of Wales, PDR, Atebion Software, Waterbear Analytics, Zenith Lean Training and Kaimai Research, as well as Bangor University, Glyndwr University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
“This trade mission follows on from the highly successful visit in March this year when universities and businesses benefited from the raised profile of Wales as it coincided with Wales Week 2013 in Chongqing,” said Economy Minister Edwina Hart.
“We already have agreements with the Municipal Governments of Beijing and Chongqing and the visit to Chongqing, Chengdu and Shanghai coincides with a number of trade events and provides a range of opportunities across our key sectors.
“This autumn programme is designed to offer flexibility for participating companies that can join the itinerary at any stage and elect to visit one or all destinations. Through our trade support programme and network of offices in China, the Welsh Government is supporting companies in researching the Chinese market and arranging meetings with potential business partners.”
The 12-day trade mission programme starts with a visit between to Chongqing (28-31 Oct), coinciding with the 5th Chongqing Services Trade Summit, which attracts over 5,000 Chinese and international delegates in the service trade.
The Welsh Government Chongqing office has also organised the Wales-Chongqing Service Trade Roadshow in conjunction with Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission (COFTEC), providing an opportunity for Welsh businesses to meet local companies to develop trade links.
Home to 31 million people, Chongqing is often regarded as the gateway to western China, and, in 2011, First Minister Carwyn Jones signed a new agreement with the municipality which commits the two Governments to continue working together in the fields of science, technology, culture, health, education, agriculture, economic development, forestry management, environment, governance and tourism.
The trade mission then moves to Chengdu (31 Oct-3 Nov), the capital of Sichuan Province which is closely linked with Chongqing and with it forms the two largest economies in the region. Chengdu’s major industrial sectors mirror those of Wales and include pharmaceuticals, food processing, automotive, aerospace, petrochemicals and ICT. The city’s service sector already accounts for 50 per cent of the economy and is predicted to grow to 60 per cent within the next 10 years.
The final stop is a visit to Shanghai (3-8 Nov), which will see the Welsh Government exhibiting at the China International Industry Fair to promote Wales’s interest in Shanghai and East China region in the areas of business, science and technology, education and training.
Companies can visit the exhibition and use the Wales stand as a base for meeting with potential trade partners. Wales has had an office in Shanghai since 2004 which is working with local government officials to develop the trade, academic and cultural relationships.
Wales’s trade and business links with China were the focus of talks between the First Minister Carwyn Jones and the Chinese Ambassador to the UK when he visited in February this year, and the trip aims to build on these links, promoting inward investment opportunities in Wales, and aiding trade links for Welsh businesses and universities.
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