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MINISTER for the West Midlands, Liam Byrne, will be championing the region in China when he visits Shandong Province later this month.

He is visiting China along with the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, to develop West Midlands trade links and will meet a number of high level players, including the Governor of Shandong Province and a number of influential local business people to fly the flag for the West Midlands.

An economic co-operation agreement has been in place between the West Midlands region and Shandong Province since June, 2005, generating millions of pounds of business for the West Midlands.

In recognition of the close links developed between Shandong and the West Midlands, Liam Byrne will officially launch the The Soft Landing Zone initiative - a Government-backed project being delivered by Coventry University.

Liam Byrne said: "Giant growth markets like China offer the promise of big order books for West Midlands businesses. That's good for jobs and wages. In 2020, the Chinese economy will be the second biggest in the world, that's why I am determined now that the West Midlands becomes one of the UK's leading traders with China.

"Shandong Province is one of the richest and most industrialised parts of China - producing 25 per cent of China's wealth.

"Shandong industry is a lot like the West Midlands and the economic co-operation agreement has brought millions of pounds of business into the West Midlands.

"he economic basis of the agreement is very important to Shandong, particularly because of the diverse range of industries and commercial strengths that the West Midlands has, that closely matches the priority sectors identified by Shandong.

"China is already shifting investment from the dollar and towards currencies like the pound and several of our regional companies are currently in negotiation for inward investment deals."

The Minister continued: "China has the potential to open up vast new markets for West Midlands automotive exporters, our education exporters, our pharmaceuticals, biotech, and electronic and creative businesses.

"The launch of the Soft Landing Zone Initiative is a huge step in helping cement our future.

"In particular, I want to focus on the forthcoming business conferences being held in Shandong. These will help identify Chinese interest in outward investment, specifically targeting the West Midlands and I want to discuss the ways we can build on their investment in our future."

9:22am Tuesday 15th April 2008

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