Stopping in Newcastle, Leeds, and Manchester, this was an introduction in a series dedicated to bolstering the Northern Powerhouse to trade internationally. In 2019, Let’s Do China will be zooming in on topics to help businesses boost their export potential.

Let’s Do China’s first round was delivered with support from BQ, Ward Hadaway, and Department for International Trade.

ACOLINK works alongside UK and China government and the private sector to recognise China export possibilities for British businesses. While delivering the workshop, CEO Anita Zhang shared the benefits of China’s relaxed policies for cross-border e-commerce retail imports — newly announced on the 21st November.

Ken Cuthbert, DIT’s Senior Regional Operations Manager for the Northern Powerhouse, highlighted the importance of department’s synergy with the private sector.

“This is where ACOLINK and Ward Hadaway come in,” he said. "We take you so far with your export strategy, and hand you over to a more expert private organisation. But we’ll still be there for you. We’re always there for businesses."

Let’s Do China’s interactive sessions offer a fresh approach to trading with China. From an overview of China’s national and international initiatives to provincial perspectives, it helps exporters know and understand trade developments.

Elaine Chan, a partner in Ward Hadaway’s Commercial Litigation team, highlighted the firm’s international network of support for businesses wanting to go global.

“I think it’s really important to emphasise ACOLINK’s experience with Chinese business,” she said. "We’re really delighted to be supporting our friends at ACOLINK with their series of seminars on doing business in China. As you all know, China is a huge marketplace with enormous potential — and it’s really important to get things right from when you start off. We work closely also with law firms in China and in Hong Kong, specialising in different areas with different properties."

Look out to 2019

China’s openness for business has invigorated UK firms with an appetite for exporting. In the long run, Let’s Do China will cover a range of topics to ease exporter’s journey to China. It will cover policies, regulations, taxes, product screening and certifications. But it will also help businesses understand customer voices, marketing, social commerce (including WeChat & AliPay), and cultural etiquette.

Let’s Do China joined forces with BQ’s 2019 Northern Powerhouse Export campaign, and Exporting is GREAT to bring export opportunities closer to local businesses. Workshops ran in November across the Northern Powerhouse, with more to come throughout 2019 across the UK.