The future is bright for Northamptonshire to trade with China

Northamptonshire businesses will benefit from new trade opportunities with China, thanks to a recent visit to Henan region by a delegation from the County.

With the uncertainty around trade in the EU after Brexit, the University’s China and Emerging Economies Centre (CEEC) research group, which develops links with economies across the globe, has taken what Northamptonshire has to offer on the road, as part of a recent visit to the Henan International Investment and Trade Fair.

The University delegation, which included Qi Ai, Lecturer in Strategic Management and Adrian Pryce, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and International Business, who is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, attended the trade fair to speak about the potential for links between Henan and Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire’s leading knowledge in the areas of wheat production and food processing, logistics and automotive engineering are of interest for future partnerships.

The UK’s recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement which will enable greater business and cultural links between the UK and China’s Henan region, coupled with the launch of direct air links to the Henan region later this year, are moves which will revolutionise the way Northamptonshire business can reach the booming population and economies of the Henan region.

Speaking about the trip, Adrian Pryce, said: “There is great potential for provincial and academic links between Northamptonshire and Henan as an emerging Chinese region, with a total market of nearly 100 million people. It was an honour to speak on behalf of the county and the University and have such a warm welcome to the idea of partnership with so many key strategic sectors in common.”

The UK’s Consul General, Gareth Hoar, will visit Northampton in May to meet with the University and local authority leaders to progress the way partnership proposals will work for the county.

Pictured: British Consul General for north central China, Gareth Hoar, signing with Mr Shu Qing, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Henan Province.