Business urged to build on exports

With figures from UK Trade and Investment showing the value of exports from the North West to China rising 35% to £1.4 billion in the last year, North West businesses are being urged to build on this surge in exports. Clive Drinkwater, regional director for the North West at UK Trade and Investment, said there is still more to do to encourage more exporters from the region.

“It is terrific that China has moved up to become the fourth-biggest market for UK businesses, and that the North West is the number-one region for sales to China. In 2010, China’s economy grew by 10.3%, with UK exports of goods and services to China reaching £9.7 billion. China continues to be a vitally important trade partner for the North West, but we still have to do more to encourage the region’s firms to make the most of opportunities in this vitally important market.”

He said UKTI had recently taken businesses on a visit to Shanghai, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur to coincide with Manchester City and Manchester United’s pre-season tours. “We will be organising a second market visit later this your to coincide with the Halle Orchestra’s visit to Beijing and Tianjin in October. We would urge any interested businesses to get in touch with the North West International Trade Team to see how we can help.”