Recent high-profile success stories highlight the support the UK’s DIT can bring to your business. The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has over 170 staff located across mainland China and Hong Kong working to boost UK economic growth through supporting a closer trading and investment relationship with China. DIT supports British business to export to the region, helps firms overcome hurdles to doing business and opens up markets for UK companies through negotiating market access and trade deals.

As the UK leaves the EU, UK businesses are increasingly looking to start trading or deepen their partnerships with companies around the world, including with Chinese companies. The Department for International Trade (DIT) aims to support the UK’s long-term economic prosperity by helping UK companies make the most of opportunities in international markets, both through trade and investment.

China is one of the great economic success stories of the past 40 years. It is the world’s second largest economy after the United States, the largest trading nation in goods globally, and the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment. In the last decade, the UK’s exports of goods and services to China have almost tripled. As of 2017, China is now the UK’s sixth largest export destination globally and the largest outside of Europe or the United States. Headline growth has moderated, but China is still contributing 30 percent of global GDP growth each year – equivalent in size to a new G20 economy.

China’s rapid development has created a wealth of business opportunities. The DIT network in China, in combination with DIT specialists in the UK, is here to share expertise, experience, and advice with British companies on doing business in China. DIT can provide advice on exporting to China, finding customers and complying with local customs regulations. DIT can also help shed a light on licensing and government approvals for establishing operations in China.

Increasingly, DIT is working to improve the local business environment and market access for UK companies. In June 2018, China lifted its longstanding ban on exports of beef from the UK. While in January 2019, BT announced it had become the first international telecommunications company to receive nationwide licences from the Chinese government. Bas Berger, CEO of Global Services for BT, noted that cooperation between the UK Government and the Chinese government had supported this monumental step forward.

The DIT network in China covers a broad range of sectors – from the creative industries and agriculture, through to life sciences and financial services. Whatever industry your business operates in, you can get in touch with DIT teams through the great.gov.uk website for more information or contact DIT to enquire about connecting with your local International Trade Adviser in the UK.

Written by the Department for International Trade