COMPANIES across Cambridgeshire are being urged to take advantage of China s still buoyant economy to forge new trading partnerships. The call, from Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, follows the success of a recent delegation led by Business Secretary

COMPANIES across Cambridgeshire are being urged to take advantage of China's still buoyant economy to forge new trading partnerships.

The call, from Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, follows the success of a recent delegation led by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, which secured contracts and new investment deals between UK and Chinese enterprises worth over US$500million.

According to UK Trade and Investment, many of these new business partnerships demonstrate UK capacity in low carbon business solutions, which will benefit British businesses while helping China meet its tough environment and energy-efficiency targets.

The chamber is facilitating a nine-day familiarisation trip next March for firms that identify possible opportunities. A pre-event session for companies with whetted appetites will take place in Huntingdonshire next week.

Chambers Chief Executive John Bridge said: "Breaking into a new international marketplace will always pose challenges, and the businesses that succeed in doing so will always be the businesses that understand the issues surrounding language and culture, business etiquette and best practice within the marketplace they are entering. Understanding each of these elements will enable those businesses to manage the risks more effectively.

"For businesses that have identified a market for their products or services in China the nine-day familiarisation trip next March will encompass stays in Shanghai and Beijing. It will also include visits to economic development zones in Hangzhou and Pudong, while combining this with trips to well-known tourist attractions and sites of significant importance to Chinese culture and heritage.

"Businesses simply mustn't underestimate the importance of understanding more than just the paperwork required to do business with this emerging market, and the tour will help local businesses to do this."

Lord Mandelson added: "China is an exciting market for UK business, especially in sectors where we have a comparative advantage such as low-carbon companies. My challenge is to promote British exports, encourage Chinese investment in the UK and continue to strengthen our good working relations with the Chinese government."

INFORMATION: Any businesses that have an interest in doing business with China, or who would like to spend a week travelling around key areas within Beijing and Shanghai with a view to becoming accustomed to Chinese culture and business practices, can attend a pre-tour information evening being held in Huntingdonshire on Wednesday (September 30). The free event, which is being held at Cambridge Golf and Conference Centre at Hemingford Abbots from 6pm until 8pm, will offer more information to businesses the opportunity to visit the country and also a chance to meet Leo Liu, the tour operator with whom the chamber has formed a partnership in order to facilitate the first trip to China next March. Places must be booked in advance and can be reserved by calling Maria Briggs on 01223 237414 or e-mailing m.briggs@cambscci.co.uk