Leeds businesses are being offered the opportunity to develop their links with China with the launch of a new trade body that will link them into over 10,000 new contacts worldwide.

The Northern Chapter of the Hong Kong Business Forum was launched in Leeds today at the offices of DLA Piper. Over 120 Yorkshire businesses attended the event to find out more about the Forum, which is part of a network of 33 organisations worldwide, and will link members into China relevant news, market intelligence and networking opportunities.

In addition to various local events, an annual global Forum is held each year, which is attended by Chapters from all over the world, allowing members to find out more about opportunities in China and develop relationships with members from other countries.

With support from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Northern Forum has been brought together by local partners Marketing Leeds, UKTI, Grant Thornton, HSBC, China Britain Business Council, The Metier Centre, ConnectChina, and DLA Piper – whose partner Josh Wong will chair the Forum.

Josh explains; “For those interested in trading with China, Hong Kong offers an ideal entry point. Not only is it an economic powerhouse in its own right, but it is also uniquely positioned as being a Chinese city with a UK business infrastructure. This dual personality goes a long way to easing the culture shock that concerns many companies going into China.

“The Hong Kong Business Forum has been designed to provide its membership with the information and contacts they will need to make the most of the opportunities offered in the Chinese market. The global membership of the Forum also means that members can access new contacts worldwide – creating huge scope for the internationalisation of their business.”

As well as featuring an overview of the Hong Kong Business Forum’s structure and benefits, the launch event was also attended by a representative of the Hong Kong Government - Sarah Wu, Director General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London.



Sarah Wu said: “I am delighted to be here to support the launch of the Northern Chapter of the Hong Kong Business Forum. Hong Kong has such a lot to offer companies wanting to trade with or set up in China and the Forum will help to promote links with Hong Kong in this important region of the UK. One country, two systems means that Hong Kong, with its free society, independent judiciary and its common law system, offers a crucial gateway to China.”

Forum partners Marketing Leeds also used the event to raise awareness of proposed plans for their latest ‘Leeds in…’ festival of commerce and culture, Leeds in Asia, which will focus on further developing regional business connections in China.

Chief Executive of Marketing Leeds, Deborah Green explains; “We have taken the ‘Leeds in…’ series to Europe and achieved great links between our city and international business destinations as a result. These festivals really help our regional companies understand the culture and economy of the host city and to build strong business relationships, whilst also raising the profile of Leeds as a prominent business centre.

"Our proposals for Leeds in Asia aim to really cement our City Region’s reputation as a global trade partner, and working in tandem with the Hong Kong Business Forum and UKTI will add to participating businesses’ understanding of the business opportunities to be found in this part of the world."

Companies wishing to find out more about membership of the Northern Chapter of the Hong Kong Business Forum should contact karen.johnson@hktc.org


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