A new office connecting Nottingham and China

Nottingham is all set to embark on a ground-breaking new business initiative in its sister city in China.  

Nottingham City Council will launch the Nottingham Business Development Ltd (NBDL) Office in Ningbo, China on Friday 8th June 2007.
Ningbo, in the Zhejiang Province, is home to The University of Nottingham’s pioneering China campus – the first Sino-Foreign University in China. The campus has almost 2000 full time students enjoying world-class international education.

Ningbo became Nottingham’s sister city in 2005. The new Nottingham Business Development Office will act as a bridge between Nottingham and China – taking advantage of the opportunities arising in the growing Chinese markets by developing links between businesses in Nottingham and China.

Barry Horne, Nottingham City Council’s Corporate Director of City Development will attend the launch in China. He said:

‘The Nottingham Business Development Office is a new and exciting initiative resulting from our belief that China will be a future leading economic force in the world, and Ningbo and the wider Zhejiang Province will be at its economic centre. We have recognized the great opportunity for collaboration between the East and West, between China and the UK and especially Nottingham and the East Midlands region. Our vision is of a joined business community and a strong partnership bringing together the best of both countries in the competitive global business environment.’

Cllr Alan Clark from Nottingham City Council, is also attending the launch. He said:

‘The strong partnership between our two cities, Nottingham and Ningbo has led to some important developments in the education, culture and business sectors. Our primary and secondary schools have established direct contact for culture and curriculum exchange, our FE colleges have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for ‘in country’ A levels and HND delivery. This is an exciting time and Nottingham plans to make the most of it.’

Nottingham delegates will use this trip to Ningbo to visit the Zhejiang Investment and Trade Symposium – the 9th to be held. Nottingham will host an exhibition, officially launching its Football Diplomacy Proposal, based on Nottingham Forest Football Club’s plan to tour China and work with children in Ningbo, Jiaxing and Hangzhou, in 2008.

The Nottingham Business Development Office will be based at The University of Nottingham’s China campus and will be fully operational by September this year.