On Tuesday evening, Leader of the Council, Councillor Chris Poulter and Councillor Mick Barker travelled to China with a group of delegates for the World Manufacturing Convention.
The World Manufacturing Convention, which is being held in Hefei City from Friday 20th to Monday 23rd September, is a great chance for the Council and local Derby companies to develop business contacts and open up export opportunities in China.
Representatives from Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, University of Derby and local businesses from across the region have travelled to attend the convention and will be welcomed to Hefei City by the City Leader and Provincial Leader of Anhui province.
As part of the trip, the Councillors will visit a variety of technology companies and invite them to visit Derby and Derbyshire to explore potential investment and growth opportunities within the city.
Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said:
We’re proud to invite local businesses to showcase in the fastest growing market place in the world. In Derby we have a reputation for ingenuity, innovation and excellence. We’re home to thousands of world renowned businesses, and as the UK’s leading technology city, our local businesses have much to offer to our international friends. As UK’s leading technology city, Derby is a centre of innovation, engineering and trade. One third of all East Midlands engineering/manufacturing workforce (45,000 employees) are employed by Derby companies. The Chinese Government has shown a real commitment to working with us, and developing trade links between the cities.
The trip will also help to promote tourism to Derby, with Councillors meeting the Hefei Literary Association and Provincial Culture and Tourism Department.
The visit runs until Tuesday 24th September and marks the commitment to business and innovation that Derby has with China.