Cameron's mission to China pays off handsomely for British companies

BRITISH firms are to benefit from a series of business deals worth millions of pounds which were negotiated with the Chinese as Prime Minister David Cameron made his first trip to the Far Eastern economic giant.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Nov 2010, 11:15 BST
Updated 9th Nov 2010, 11:15 BST

Mr Cameron regards his visit, on which he is accompanied by dozens of chief executives and chairmen of major UK companies, as a "vitally important trade mission".

Business Secretary Vince Cable flew to Beijing ahead of the Prime Minister to begin three days of intensive trade talks, with the aim of "cementing a partnership for growth" between the UK and the world's second-largest economy.

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Speaking ahead of the talks Mr Cable said: "These talks take the relationship between the UK and China to a new level.

"I warmly congratulate those companies which have announced deals.

"China is a huge opportunity for UK businesses and I would urge more companies to follow in their footsteps. China is our ninth-largest export market, but it is the world's second-largest economy and the potential for expanding our partnership is huge."

Deals announced involved Benoy, Clyde Blowers, Eco-Solids, Ultra Electronics, Delcam, Utilise, Tesco, Oleo, NorthgateArinso, Arup, the Aircraft Research Association, Group Rhodes, the International Visual Communications Association, TheAlloy, David Lock Associates and University College London.

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Agreements announced yesterday included three contracts worth more than 4m in fees for architects and designers Benoy, which will go on to open a headquarters in Beijing.

An agreement has been reached between Clyde Blowers and Yima Coal Industry Group to supply coal injection technology for three gasifiers, in a deal worth 2m.

Ultra Electronics' Airport Systems business, of Manchester, has est ablished a joint test and demonstration laboratory for airport and airline operational IT systems in Beijing with TopScientific Systems Inc.

Tesco is signing a climate change Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Commerce and Arup has agreed to a study of the greenhouse gas emissions of the city masterplan of Beijing with the planning arm of the Beijing Planning Commission.

Aircraft Research Association is announcing a Memorandum of Understanding for research with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, AVIC-ARI.

Related topics:David CameronChinaTescoIT systems