Leeds City Region takes senior trade delegation to China and Hong Kong

Leeds City Region is taking a senior trade and investment delegation to China to accelerate investment relationships with the second largest economy in the world.

Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Judith Blake and Cllr Shabir Pandor - leader of Kirklees Council - are visiting the Chinese cities of Hangzhou, Qingdao and Hong Kong to build on government-to-government relationships and capitalise on existing trade agreements.

Also joining them are representatives from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Bradford Council, the University of Bradford, the University of Leeds, the University of Huddersfield and businesses including TPP, Munroe K and Group Rhodes.

Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This trade and investment mission will build on our long and prestigious relationships with our Chinese partners.

“Earlier this week we saw a hugely positive outcome of this activity with the announcement that Hangzhou-based Dahua, makers of video surveillance equipment, are opening an office in Leeds.

“They join Hisense which has its UK HQ in Leeds and Silver Cross owner Fosun. We want to encourage more investment and trade between our cities.”

The delegation will visit the headquarters of Chinese e-commerce retailer NetEase Kaola.com.

This meeting will build upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2017, and explore new avenues to bring Leeds City Region products to the Far East market and help meet demand for high quality British products.

Nicola Greenan, external relations director at East Street Arts - part of the delegation - concluded: “It’s great to be involved with the visit to China and Hong Kong and I’m really excited to talk to businesses, education institutions and other organisations about our work and specifically, our plans to introduce a dedicated Arts and Tech Hub to the region based in Mabgate, Leeds.

“It will also be interesting to see what’s happening in China, from a creative and business perspective. I hope the visit will spark some exciting collaborations in the near future.”

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