Chambers of Commerce Network prepare for business mission to China

Together with Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce (DACC), Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce have planned an 8-day business mission to China later this month. Between April 22 and 30, a delegation will demonstrate the shared appetite of Scottish businesses to deepen economic and business engagement with China and reinforce the aims of the Scottish Government’s ‘Global Scotland’ strategy within the country.

Using long established and influential relationships from within the Chamber network, Scottish Chambers of Commerce will sign Memorandum’s of Understandings (MOUs) with National, Provincial and Municipal governments and State owned enterprises to create working platforms and business relationships for ongoing cooperation and B2B partnerships for future trading. Meetings have been arranged with senior representatives of Foreign Affairs Departments in Shandong Province and Yantai Municipality.

This visit will equip delegates with first hand in-market experience, direct B2B contacts and awareness of local customs. These enablers will act as a catalyst to allow future market engagement and increase awareness of the opportunity for Scottish businesses to start or increase their exports to China and accelerate the attraction of mutually beneficial inward investment opportunities.

Tim Allan, president of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said “The Chamber Network’s priority is to keep Scotland open for business and improve our exporting performance. In fact, if Scotland increases exporting by 50%, that has the potential to create more than 100,000 new jobs in Scotland and that’s how you shift a country’s economic focus.

“We are a pioneering group of Chamber chief executives and presidents going out to China to establish vital business and government relationships, and our objective is to increase our trade with China and the rest of the world.”

Alison Henderson, CEO of Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, said “We are proud to be working in partnership across the chamber network to represent Dundee & Angus businesses in this visit. Our aim is to make connections, establish relationships and fact-find to develop business opportunities for local businesses. We look forward to helping Scottish Chambers roll out this programme on a national level and work towards the next phase of delivery which will see Business to Business connections made, delivering revenue for Scottish businesses, opening of new markets for exporters and attract inward investment.”