Look to China to do business, companies are urged

The CBBC believes many Yorkshire entrepreneurs are well-placed to provide China's consumers with sophisticated goods.

Giles Blackburne, the Leeds-based regional CBBC director, said there had been a big rise in the number of Yorkshire companies expressing an interest in doing business with China.

He said: "According to UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), in 2009 there were 27 pieces of research, such as contact identification, meeting programmes and market overviews, commissioned for China in Yorkshire and the Humber. This year there have been 38 already." So far this year, eight enquiries about business opportunities in China have come from Yorkshire companies in traditional industries, such as automotive, oil and gas.

Another eight have come from service companies, and there have also been enquiries from two healthcare firms.

Mr Blackburne said the leisure and luxury goods sectors, along with food processing and medical equipment, were likely to be areas of growth. He added: "The interest I've seen is more on the clothing side of leisure – branded outdoor wear, sports gear, camping accessories and such like.

"It's a small interest, but China's niche markets continue to fascinate and offer potential. For companies with a world class brand, I would say China is changing, so take a look, ask some questions and see if there is a market for your products.

"Chinese people have much more free time than they used to."

Mr Blackburne said the domestic tourism market was also taking off in China.

He added: "There is a consumer emerging who wants to take advantage of the kind of things western companies have to offer. The disposable income is quite high (in China) because the housing costs are quite low."

Mr Blackburne said there was also the potential for partnerships between western legal firms and their counterparts in China.

UKTI is leading a trade mission to East Asia, which will include trips to Hong Kong and China, from November 13 to 19. For further information contact Gail Leathley at UKTI by emailing [email protected]. Mr Blackburne can be contacted by emailing giles.blackburne @cbbc.org