24 Oct Essex International delegation leads China talks
New multi-million pound business deals will be negotiated in China next week by a business delegation led by Essex County Council.
The delegation, led by Essex International, the international trade arm of Essex County Council, will spend next week in in Jiangsu, a coastal province north of Shanghai in China, promoting trade links between the Chinese province and the county. The trip, which is funded by fees received for Essex International’s services, will be at zero cost to the taxpayer, and will bring in great benefits to Essex.
Headed up by Cllr Dick Madden, the delegation will particularly focus on technological and medical trade opportunities between Essex and Jiangsu.
The team will be in China for a week between 22 and 29 October; during that time they will visit trade and Government representatives in the towns of Nanjing and Hangzhou.
The visit is the latest exchange in a relationship between Essex and Jiangsu which has existed for more than 27 years and created nearly £15 million for the local economy.
Cllr Madden said “Medical and advanced technology are key growth areas Essex and Jiangsu have in common and this creates an excellent trade opportunity.
“This visit will give us a chance to strengthen our links with the province and explore new opportunities on behalf of the Essex business community. Our relationship with Jiangsu has been a huge success and these visits help us to develop our relationships and seek out new and greater opportunities.”
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Partnerships, added: “It is initiatives like this which demonstrate that where Essex leads the country follows.We have forged a long-standing and fruitful relationship with Jiangsu province and that relationship is still growing, providing opportunity and benefits for all businesses in Essex. This year, for the first time, we will also start to forge links with neighbouring province, Zhejiang.
“Essex means business and this trip, and the relationship we have with Jiangsu, show that is true on an international scale.”
During the visit Cllr Madden and the team will meet with members of the medical profession, the province’s finance office, the department for commerce and department of education.
