Chinese New Year Breakfast seminar on 

China Market Outlook 2012 and Opportunities in Hong Kong and Southern China

0800 – 1000, Monday 30 January 2012

 Regus, 268 Bath Road, Slough SL1 4DX, United Kingdom

–          A South China market special organised by BCC LinkToChina and UK Trade & Investment with TVCC

–          With special presentations by UKTI team leaders in Guangzhou and Hong Kong

–          China market review in 2011 and outlook for 2012

With the uncertainty of the European market heightened by the Euro crisis in 2011, the question about China’s ability to continue its role as the main engine for growth globally in 2012 has been raised. Is the cooling of Chinese property market in 2011 a sign of the success of anti-inflation policies or a pre-cursor for a property slump? Will the Chinese stock market bounce back in 2012 from its downward trend in 2011? What may be the new changes on the cards for the Chinese market and how should British companies be prepared for them?

BCC LinkToChina, together with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group, , will co-host this breakfast seminar with Slough Borough Council, the national strategic partners of the LinkToChina programme. Chief Executive of the Council, Ruth Bagley, will open the event.

The seminar will feature presentations and a Q&A session by a panel of experts on China market including:

–           ‘Developing business opportunities in Southern China’- Bob Manning, Head of UK Trade and Investment, Southern China, British Consulate-General Guangzhou

–          ‘Developing business opportunities in Hong Kong’- John Woodruffe, Assistant Trade Commissioner, British Consulate-General Hong Kong

–          ‘China Market Outlook in 2012’ –  Dr. Kegang Wu, Chief China Adviser for the BCC and Executive Director of LinkToChina Programme

Hong Kong and Southern China offer a wealth of opportunities for British companies.  With one of the most open and business-friendly environments in the world, Hong Kong is a major centre for British business.  An attractive market in its own right, Hong Kong is also a springboard into the mainland China market, and an ideal base for regional operations.  For the last 30 years, the southern Chinese province of Guangdong has led China’s impressive economic growth, and has just become the first province to reach a GDP of 5 trillion yuan (approx US$750bn).  If Guangdong were a country, it would be in the world’s top 20 by GDP!  As the region’s economy continues to transform and move up the value chain, it plays to UK strengths in services, creative industries, low carbon, and advanced engineering.  Rapid growth in newly thriving regional cities in Southern China also offers new and substantial business opportunities across a region the size of Turkey.

The BCC LinkToChina programme is entering its second year of operation, with a number of projects already successfully matched. Further announcements will be made at the seminar for its programme of activities that are designed to help more UK businesses and locations to work with China.

Booking contact:  01753 870500       www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk/events