Senior Chinese delegation visits Jersey to explore digital opportunities

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A senior delegation from one of mainland China’s fastest growing cities is visiting Jersey this week to explore business opportunities in the digital and e-commerce sectors.

The six-strong party of representatives from Hangzhou, considered to be one of China’s most dynamic ‘Tier 2’ cities, includes senior representatives from a number of organisations within Hangzhou’s Hi-Tech Industry Development Zone, one of China’s largest development areas with a hi-tech and ICT focus.

During the 22^nd October visit, which has been facilitated by Locate Jersey, they will meet with politicians, entrepreneurs, companies and business groups, including Digital Jersey, JT Global, Basel Group, Indigo Lighthouse and Jersey Post, to discuss opportunities within the digital sector and identify how Jersey could assist Chinese businesses looking to expand into Europe. They will also give a presentation to local businesses, highlighting how Hangzhou’s expertise could help Jersey businesses seize opportunities in the Asian market.

Jersey delegations, led by Ministers Senator Alan Maclean and James Baker, visited Hangzhou in May and October 2012, with Jersey attending the 4^th International Sister City Mayors’ Conference, during which Jersey was awarded ‘Friendly City’ status by Hangzhou.

Commenting on the visit of the Hangzhou delegation, Minister for Economic Development, Senator Alan Maclean, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome representatives of Hangzhou, with whom our relationship is getting stronger and stronger. That this very senior delegation has taken the time to visit indicates that they consider Jersey a serious and credible player in the global digital economy.

“Given the importance we place on China as a key global market for achieving economic diversification and growth, this visit is tremendous news both in terms of raising Jersey’s profile within mainland China and for local businesses active in the digital sector. It comes at a pertinent time too, following the recent launch of Digital Jersey’s 2014 business strategy. We look forward to exploring some exciting opportunities with the delegation during their visit.”

The delegation’s visit to Jersey coincides with their visit to the UK, during which they will be learning more about the wider development of ICT in the UK and promoting opportunities for UK companies in the Hangzhou region.

A prosperous city on the Yangtze River, Hangzhou is the political and economic capital of Zhejiang Province, home to the largest single number of China’s largest private companies, and has a thriving hi-tech and ICT sector. The city’s Hi-Tech Industry Development Zone, whose pillar industries include software and service outsourcing, e-commerce, telecoms, and biomedicine, is home to a large number of global technology firms including Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, IBM, Microsoft and Samsung.

This latest visit by senior Chinese authorities builds on a busy program of activity for Locate Jersey in mainland China. Earlier this year, Locate Jersey appointed Nora Zhang as project manager in Beijing through the China-Britain Business Council’s (CBBC) Launchpad scheme. Last month, Nora represented Jersey at the CBBC China Outbound Seminar in Xiamen, where Locate Jersey was also a sponsor, and the CBBC China Outbound Conference in Shanghai.