‘China Tomorrow’ initiative to help companies export to China

An initiative to help more UK and Chinese organisations work together on a range of innovation and technology projects has been launched by the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and UK Trade & Investment.

‘China Tomorrow’ will promote opportunities for technology transfer and joint technology development between UK and Chinese enterprises and research organisations at a national and regional level. It will do this by raising interest, increasing awareness on how to collaborate successfully on technology development/ technology transfer, and also by increasing the capabilities of UK companies to work jointly with Chinese partners.

The initiative was formally announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the UK-China Business Summit with China’s Premier, Wen Jiabao, in London on 2 February 2009. 

It was launched on 25 March in central London, where Ian Pearson MP, the Economic & Business Minister at BERR said: “I am delighted to be able to take part in the launch of China Tomorrow. It is an excellent example of the practical support we are providing to companies to increase their capacity to export in these globally difficult times.”

Peter Budd, vice chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, director of Ove Arup & Partners Ltd and chairman of Arup Scotland, said: “China Tomorrow is an exciting initiative which will link the UK’s world-leading strengths in innovation with opportunity in China to help bring innovative products and services more quickly to the market.”

The aim of the initiative is to develop and grow profitable, sustainable businesses for the economic benefit of both countries – something that is of increasing importance in the current economic climate. It will provide increased access to information, highlight the opportunities for commercialisation and increase collaboration between the UK and China.