30 October 2006
Chinese companies head to Manchester
Manchester is becoming an increasingly popular business destination for Chinese businesses, with 7 Chinese companies recently relocating to the city.
Following a networking event hosted jointly by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Aughton Ainsworth International Law Firm, companies including Jialiya Trading Ltd, Totemic Trading Ltd, Kangman Trading Ltd, Golden Star Trading Ltd, Orion Godpower Trading Ltd and Bohai Shoes Co Ltd have all relocated to Manchester.
The NWDA and MIDAS, Manchester's investment agency, have been working closely with the companies to secure their move to the Northwest, providing advice and guidance to ensure that they have access to the appropriate business support and marketing advice.
The Northwest has strong cultural links with China, with Manchester home to one of the largest Chinese populations outside London. It is a key overseas market for the region and the NWDA is working with partners to strengthen its links with the country.
As well appointing a dedicated China Country Manager to promote the region to the Chinese market, the NWDA and MIDAS support Sinoventures, a project based at Manchester Science Park which aims to attract small and high tech start up companies from China by providing a tailored package of business development and relocation assistance and high quality serviced office accommodation. It is one of only two business incubators in the UK recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.
Mark Hughes, NWDA Executive Director for Enterprise, Innovation and Skills, said:
"The NWDA is working closely with partners to promote the Northwest as a world class business location and to strengthen the region's links with other countries to encourage further trade and investment opportunities. The relocation of these 7 Chinese companies is great news for Manchester and is further evidence of the city's increasing attractiveness to international companies."
Colin Sinclair, Chief executive of MIDAS said:
"MIDAS is delighted to have supported the NWDA in attracting this quite considerable Chinese investment into the Northwest."
Sam Xu, Totemic, said:
"Manchester is a great place to do business. Before relocating we considered locations in London and Manchester but we decided to come to Manchester for a lot of reasons, nice Chinese community, good transportation and above all else, it is an ideal location to be the trading centre serving the UK market and other European companies. We could not have set up our operations so smoothly and so quickly without the help from the NWDA in all aspects from office location to visa facilitation."
ends
For further information please contact Sarah Moston, Press Officer on 01925 400552 or 07810 528 471 or Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk
For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.