Enterprise and Innovation

Leicester Shire-Sichuan Trade Bureau

We provide professional FREE advice and support to companies in Leicestershire to trade with China.

The Bureau was set up in March 2004, jointly supported by the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership (LSEP), Leicestershire County Council, Business Link Leicestershire and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
We help Leicestershire companies to export to China, find business partners or set up in China by giving professional advice and organising events including seminars, exhibitions and trade missions.

Case Studies: Choosing the right road to China

What is the best way to enter the Chinese Market? The answers vary depending on the products or service you are providing and what resources you have. To offer British businesses different options, Leicester Shire-China Trade Bureau is producing a series of case studies and invite you to hear the stories directly from some British companies and their own experiences. The first two in the series are available for you to view here.

Distribution Aquisition

Completion Date: 10/05/2004

Location

Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester

Project Description

Ask what is the single element that will
change the world, the answer will be: China.
Donald Straszheim, Straszheim Global Advisors (SGA)

Coming up...

• The Perils and Pitfalls of trading with China.

Is it all Hype or is China still the promised land, flowing with Milk and Honey? 15th June 2006 - Business Link Leicester. To register interest and reserve your place for this event contact Richard Metcalfe.

• Market Visit to Sichuan/Chongqing November 2006

Eligible companies can have a travel grant of up to £750. The visit will also include the EU-China Partenariat event to take place in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, where 850 businesses from EU and China will have match-making business meetings. For more information contact Min He.

Background
Since 1988 Leicestershire County Council has been actively developing its friendship links with the province of Sichuan, China. This partnership has over the years enhanced the cultural, educational and business relations between Sichuan and Leicestershire.

To capitalise on Leicestershire’s links with Sichuan and use this experience to promote business links with other areas of China, the Leicester Shire – Sichuan Trade Bureau was set up in March 2004. The Trade Bureau is jointly supported by Leicestershire County Council, the LSEP, Business Link Leicestershire and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

The objective of the China Trade Bureau (as it is now known) is to assist small and medium sized companies (SMEs) in developing all aspects of trade with China, with focus on the Sichuan Province. It works together with partners like UKTI, China Britain Business Council (CBBC) and government departments and organisations in China. In addition, the Sichuan-based Trade Bureau has been set up in Chengdu to provide extra support in Sichuan/China.

Exporting
Working with UKTI and CBBC, the Trade Bureau offers a range of services aimed at helping SMEs to develop their export potentials into the Chinese market. The services cover market research, trade missions, seminars, exhibitions and identifying potential business partners in China.

Importing
Whereas the Trade Bureau aims to promote Leicestershire companies to export to China, a fact sheet for first-time importers is available upon request.

Inward Investment
Working with Leicester Shire Promotions, it encourages Chinese businesses to locate in the sub-region.

General advice
The Trade Bureau can provide advice on doing business with China, covering the economy, business, geography, policy issues as well as business etiquette and Chinese culture. A native Mandarin-speaker is available to advise on translation and interpretation issues.

Events

• Trade missions

Organising trade missions to China with support from UKTI, Leicestershire County Council and LSEP. The missions encourage companies to export their goods and services and participants may be eligible for a travel grant.

• Inward missions

Hosting a number of inward delegations from Sichuan/China who are keen to trade with British companies and to establish a business presence in the UK. Where possible the Trade Bureau will arrange networking events to facilitate their objectives.

• Seminars

Arranging specialist seminars in conjunction with partners like UKTI and CBBC.

Project Contacts

Administrator: Richard Metcalfe
Tel: 0116 257 5611
Fax: 0116 285 5951
E-mail: richard.metcalfe@blleics.co.uk
Project manager: Min He
Tel: 0116 258 7312
Fax: 0116 285 5951
E-mail: min.he@blleics.co.uk
Website: www.leics-sichuan.co.uk

LSEP contact: Andy Rose
E-mail: andyr@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk