UK CHANCELLOR George Osborne has said that he believes Greater Manchester and the North West will benefit ahead of the rest of the UK as it forms stronger links with China.
the Pro-Manchester lunch in Manchester
where he addressed the members:
region. The more long-haul, the greater the
connectivity with the Middle East and developing
countries.”
He continued:
“We are in discussion with the Chinese about direct flights to Chinese cities.”
His announcement was timely as Mr Osbourne spoke at the launch The Manchester China Forum, created to increase international opportunities and promote Manchester’s position as the main UK gateway to China and the Far East from the North of England. Mr Osborne said The Manchester China Forum would help deliver direct flights to China, the driving force behind the new initiative.
He said: “I think in creating this forum that Manchester has spotted that a huge part of this county’s economic future is going to be tied to China because it is the world’s biggest market.
“The businesses in Manchester, the engineering firms, the services companies, the local architectural practices, the legal firms, all the great businesses in Manchester have a huge opportunity to sell their products and services into China.”
Mr Osborne said the new Forum should make it easier for small firms to forge greater trading links with China.