Read our blogs to find out what our Business Development Manager in Ningbo has been up to...
A thousand thanks to UK colleagues and Ningbo friends on me and my baby boy in the last 5 months. In particular to Ms. Gill Short in the Nottingham City Council International Office, who wove a nice small sweater. Really appreciated.
Thanks also go to Miss Meadow Wu from Nottingham University of Ningbo China, who did a very good job during my absence to look after the office, attend Zhejiang Trade Fair and Garment Fair, receive the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and help Metafocus and Paragon Law to develop business here.
After the hand-over with Meadow, I started working on Ms. Martine Hamilton-Knight’s trip to China at the end of this month. She will have her photograph show in Ningbo Museum, and this is followed by a meeting and discussion between Ningbo Museum and Nottingham Castle Museum. The show will last over one month, and her photographs include Nottingham schools and universities, business buildings and casual life. At the moment she has got her visa and is preparing for her first trip to China. This is an absolutely excellent show and you cannot miss it!
Invited by the 13th Ningbo International Fashion Fair Committee, the representative of our Ningbo office attended the 2nd International Fashion Industry Cooperation Round-Table Talk (Ningbo) on October 22nd. Other distinguished guests were from 18 countries, including the UK, US, Italy and Korea, one of those representing Davies & Son, the costume manufacturer for the famous Michael Jackson. The Round-Table Talk was constituted of the industrial analysis and future trend prediction made by Ningbo City Government officers and presentations concerning the regional fashion industry developments and the potential cooperation opportunities with Ningbo made by representatives from different regions. During the round-table talk, the fact that Ningbo Fashion Industry is facing a industrial transition as well as fierce domestic competition under the economic crisis was mentioned several times by the Ningbo City Government Officers. To deal with this situation, Ningbo garment manufacturers choose to seek help abroad. Just Like Ningbo Aierni Garment Co., Ltd, a number of Ningbo garment manufacturers hires internationally famous designers from abroad and enhances international industrial cooperation. As the sister city of Ningbo, Nottingham City has a high reputation for being the home of the world leading fashion designers like Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. During the Fashion Fair, quite a few Ningbo garment manufacturers have shown intentions to work with their Nottingham counterparts and fashion-design institutions. They realized that although Ningbo garment manufacturers are very skilled at making top-quality suits they still have a long way to go to establish world-class brand names. We are expecting more representatives from Nottingham Fashion Industry to take part in the Ningbo International Fashion Fair next year. Besides, our office will try to promote the collaboration between Ningbo and Nottingham garment manufacturers as it takes the advanced fashion-design concepts from the west and the delicate manufacturing skills from the east to make a world-leading brand.
Last week, representatives from the Nottingham Business Development Co., Ltd Ningbo Office and Paragon Law China had a meeting about how Paragon Law can further develop its business in China. Founded in 2003, Paragon law has grown into one of the UK’s largest specialist immigration firms. Its business mainly covers advices for businesses and entrepreneurs on employing non EU nationals, transferring key employees to the UK, investing or establishing new businesses subsidiaries and branch offices in the UK for overseas companies and individuals. Besides, Paragon Law also provides services to individuals who want to work, study, visit or invest in the UK and those who want to enter and staying in the UK or obtain British citizenship.
With its head office in Nottingham, Paragon Law has successfully established overseas offices in India in 2007 and China in 2009. As a reputable immigration law firm, Paragon Law has not only acted as the consultant for local firms (e.g. Speedo, Centre Parcs, Vision Express and the University of Nottingham) and individuals seeking advice on immigration law but also successfully helped a number of Notts business expand their trade into India and China. With a vision of further exploring business opportunities in China, Ling Xu from Paragon Law China mentioned that the firm would like to cooperate with local Chinese law firms and provide professional services to Chinese businesses and entrepreneurs. She also mentioned that Mr Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director of Paragon Law, may visit China in late July. Mr Thalej Vasishta would like to present to local Ningbo businesses regarding investment opportunities and how Paragon Law can help Ningbo business to expend their business to the UK.
Further details regarding this presentation are available; however, companies who are interested in this presentation should contact Nottingham Business Development Co., Ltd Ningbo Office for more information.
June is regarded as a remarkable month by both Nottingham and Ningbo governments. Not only did it see the birth of our Rep. Office two years ago, but also it is when the 11th Zhejiang Investment & Trade Symposium and 8th China International Consumer Goods Fair start. Nottingham City Council, as usual, has a booth in the Overseas Exhibition Area to promote mutual business development. With a theme of “New Space, New Industry, New Extent”, this year’s Zhejiang Investment Symposium and Consumer Goods Fair is mainly composed of Import & Export Products Exhibition, International Business Negotiation, and Forum on Zhejiang Opening-up. Given that opening up the economy is crucial to the whole province, the symposium has got more than 10, 000 overseas guests from 80 countries this year. Nottingham, as a sister city of the host Ningbo, has attracted special attention from local businesses, especially those in the high-tech sector. So far, over 50 local companies and investment promotion bureaux have shown special interest in us. Our Rep. Office will fulfill the role of a bridge between businesses from Ningbo and Nottingham and will assist and facilitate mutual communication and collaboration. This is a brand new year for our Rep. Office. This is also a brand new opportunity for both Ningbo and Nottingham businesses.
Although Nottingham Forest Football Team was unable to come to China as planned, some Nottingham businessmen have maintained a strong interest in Chinese market, and came to visit China in the lovely spring season.
Metafocus, an IT company headquartered in Nottingham, specialises in providing professional web marketing services and design. Just right after the May holiday, Mr. Alan Clements, General Manager and Ms. Yiyun Ling, China Market Business Development Manager, flew to China. During their stay in Ningbo, they visited Ningbo BOFTEC and Ningbo FESCO to understand the policies and procedures to set up a branch in Ningbo. They also visited Yinzhou Foreign Investment Bureau and looked around Yinzhou CBD for a suitable location. And they called on a local trading company discussing about the company needs in web marketing.
Mr. Jeff Scrivner, Secretary of East Midlands Textile Association came to East China in mid May. This is a follow-up visit since last Oct. He visited 5 companies in Jiaxing, Cixi and Shanghai to investigate the recycling market for industrial wastes, and returned with satisfaction.
Rompa is a mini-company in East Midlands, specialising in electronic therapy instrument and special furniture for disabled children. Though their products have already been sold in China, this is the first visit for Mr. Stuart Britland, General Manager and Ms. Bonnie Britland, Marketing Manager. Through visiting companies and talking with professional people, they have a clearer understanding of the Chinese market.
The financial crisis hit the UK economy especially in some traditional industries, but some emerging industries and companies are growing and keeping an interest on the Chinese market. The market is still there, and companies will follow markets.
On 10 March I had a meeting with Ms. Manjeet Ridon, Director of International Exchange of Castle College. Her visit is to understand the Chinese education market before entry to universities, and she also attended the 2009 UK Education Spring Show. We discussed the project between Nottingham Colleges and Ningbo schools, relationships with education agencies and training projects for Ningbo English teachers.
On 25 March Nottingham Bluecoat School came to visit Ningbo No. 7 Middle School. The delegation had around 20 teachers and students. During their stay in Ningbo, Nottingham students had home stays with paired Ningbo students, had lessons together and had an excursion to Shaoxing. Students of both countries set up deep friendships through the activities. No. 7 Middle School students will pay a return visit to Nottingham this July.
On 19 March China –the UK Sustainable Energy and Construction Seminar was held in Nottingham as planned. Experts from Ningbo and Shanghai attended the seminar and paid an on-site visit to models. It is planned that the follow-up activities will happen in China next year.
In order to promote China – UK Sustainable Energy and Construction Seminar and encourage more Chinese enterprises to attend, I paid a visit to Shanghai Modern Enterprise Management Committee, Professional Managers Education Sub-committee. It has maintained very good relationship with local government bodies (BOFTEC and FAO) in Yangtze River Delta cities, and has hundreds of medium-small company members. It has taken business delegations to USA and Czech several times, thus is very experienced in organising such activities. It has showed high interest in working with Nottingham and agreed to take a delegation to the seminar.
At the end of February Ningbo government held big conferences of NPC (National People’s Congress)and CPPCC (Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) where government reports were reviewed and a goal was set that Ningbo GDP growth rate reach 9% this year.
Prof. Peter Buttery, ex-Provost of University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) has left and replaced by Prof. Roger Woods. Ms. Sue Bishop, Head of Global Finance Centre of UNNC has terminated the contract and left. We sincerely appreciate their assistance to NBDL and wish them good luck in the future!
Organised by Nottingham City Council, the University of Nottingham and East Midlands China Business Bureau, the 2009 UK – China Sustainable Energy & Construction Seminar will be held in Nottingham, UK, 19th & 20th March 2009. The head of the School of the Built Environment, University of Nottingham will chair the seminar where topics will include sustainable energy saving system, materials, environmental design and monitoring.
In order to promote the event amongst Chinese enterprises, Ms. Yiyun Ling, China Project Officer in Nottingham City Council, and I flew to Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing to meet government organisations (Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Chongqing), industrial associations (CCPIT Chongqing, China Commercial Real Estate Association, China Building Materials Federation, The Architectural Society of China) and companies (Shanghai East Asia Union Holding Group).
Sustainable development is a major topic in the world. All of the parties we have met are keen to maintain the good relationship with foreign experts and hope that discussions will be conducted in China in the future.
Jiaxing, on the other end of Hangzhou Bay Bridge, is located in north east of Zhejiang province. Enjoying the good location of centre in Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Plain, it becomes one of the important cities in Yangtze River Delta. It boasts an area of 3916 sqkm with a residential population of 4.08 million.
Jiaxing is strong in traditional manufacturing industries, in particular textile. Leather industry (esp. for civil use) is the top in China, and recently the booming of industrial textile becomes another shining point. At the end of October I accompanied Mr. Jeff Scrivner, CEO of UK East-midlands Textile Association (EMTEX) visited Maqiao Warp Knitting Industrial Park, where over 85% of the companies deal with warp knitting or related products. The park takes the lead in manufacturing, R&D, quality inspection, trading and information of warp knitting in China.
8 November saw the big event in Jiaxing – Annual Jiaxing Investment Symposium. This is a party that old friends meet new friends, all of whom pay great attention to the development of the city. According to speeches, the GDP per capita reached RMB 47,153 (around 7,000USD) and all the counties and villages in Jiaxing have ranked Top 300 in China. Actively promoting traditional industries, Jiaxing government is also looking at new industries like ports, S&T and exhibition service. At the symposium, UK Renesola signed an agreement with Jiashan County government to develop solar energy further.
This week is really busy but fruitful.
East Midlands China Business Bureau and Nottingham City Council led a business delegation of 20 people to visit Shanghai and Ningbo for one week. The delegation consists of both government officials and company representatives in the fields of IT, textile, education, agriculture, healthcare and culture exchange.
An investment seminar was held on 23 Oct. in Crowne Plaza Ningbo. Over 50 Ningbo enterprises attended. The morning session was presentations by Mr. Jason Feehily, Head of East Midlands China Business Bureau, Mr. John Connelly, Head of International Section in Nottingham City Council and Miss Helen Mincher, Economic Team of Nottingham City Council and Ms. Ma Jianping, Deputy Chief of Ningbo Investment Promotion Centre, about investment environment of both cities. The afternoon session was one-to-one company discussion. The whole event was greatly supported by China Britain Business Council.
In addition to the seminar, UK companies visited relevant Ningbo companies to find potential opportunities. Ms. Manjeet Ridon of Castle College visited Zhejiang Textile and Fashion College to further discuss students and teacher exchange projects, and she also visited Youngor and Shanshan Group to look for company training opportunities. Mr. Giles Croft of Nottingham Playhouse visited Ningbo Theatre. Mr. Jeff Scrivner of East Midlands Textile Association attended Ningbo Fashion show and visited Ningbo Veken Group to understand Ningbo textile market. Metafocus held a mini-seminar to promote the company and its service, and visited Ningbo Hai Shuo Hi-tech. Meanwhile Nottingham City Council officials paid a visit to Ningbo BOFTEC and Ningbo Hi-tech Park.
Every member came back to the UK with satisfactory achievements.