BUSINESSES across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk have been invited to attend a key trade show in China.

Essex County Council’s International Trade Team wants businesses from the region to be part of their ‘East of England’ stand at the China Import Expo (CIE) in Jiangsu Province, which is due to take place in May this year.

According to the council, more than 56,000 visitors attended last year’s CIE with almost 60% of all international exhibitors signing distribution or investment contracts.

Companies are being are offered a special ‘East of England’ package to attend the show for under £2,000.

Essex county councillor Kevin Bentley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “The CIE presents the East of England with the perfect opportunity to showcase what our county has to offer. We had great success at last year’s CIE, attracting 150 businesses in the offshore wind sector to our stand, with 17 of these major companies later visiting Essex to find investment and joint ventures.”

Essex County Council has had a 24-year relationship with Jiangsu, starting back in 1988. This was formalised in 1992 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby the two areas agreed to work together in the fields of trade, investment, education and culture.

Last year, Essex County Council agreed to share its long-standing links with China, when it signed an MOU with Suffolk and Norfolk county councils aimed at getting the three counties to work together on a two-year project to target investment from China, focusing on the energy sector.

Successful applicants for the show will get their own space on the ‘East of England’ stand in the consumer goods pavilion. They will also be offered on-site support including an interpreter and access to international trade representatives who will target Chinese agents and distributors.

For more information email simon.maidment@essex.gov.uk or call 01245 430350.