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Manchester must engage with Chinese students, says Forum

Business relations between China and Manchester must be cemented through engagement with Chinese students, according to the Manchester-China Forum.

The group, which is a new business-led organisation aiming to increase cultural and business links between Greater Manchester and China, said the success of future relationships is reliant on better connections with Chinese students and their families.

Speaking at a Forum dinner last week, Jon Lovell from business advisory firm, Deloitte, said: “Over 5,000 Chinese students come to Manchester each year to study at our universities and business schools.

“We welcome them to our City, provide them with world-class education, but don’t invest sufficiently in developing lasting relationships with them once they graduate.

“Many will be the business leaders of the future, especially in China. We must do better to capture the legacy of their time in Manchester by creating the networks and opportunities for them to do business here in the future.

“When they are in a position to drive business growth themselves, and are looking for a UK or European partner or investment opportunity, we want them to look to Manchester as the first choice location.”

Deloitte hosted the dinner for the Manchester-China Forum, where senior executives joined Forum members.

Other suggestions to stimulate opportunities in China included direct flights between Manchester and China, merger and acquisition activity in key sectors such as manufacturing, and the prospect of exporting from Manchester’s most successful industries, such as life sciences and digital healthcare.

Mr Lovell added: “The level of support for, and the appetite for involvement with the Forum has been so positive from both local businesses and the Chinese community. We’re committed to sustaining the early momentum.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .