Over 200 attend inaugural CBBC UK-GBA Conference

The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), in collaboration with the Qianhai International Talent Hub, hosted the inaugural UK-Greater Bay Area Conference in Shenzhen on Tuesday, 21 November

The event saw the participation of over 200 delegates and provided a platform for more than 40 speakers, including senior representatives from the British Government and Greater Bay Area (GBA) local governments, and senior representatives from British and Chinese companies based in the UK, cities in the Chinese mainland, and Hong Kong.

Throughout the full-day programme, the discussions focused on the latest developments and strategies for British companies in the GBA region, covering topics ranging from data and technology to trade in services and goods. The conference also explored the potential for investment in the UK by Chinese companies from the region.

In his opening remarks at the Morning Plenary Session, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the Chair of CBBC, highlighted the abundant opportunities in the GBA, including enhanced connectivity, the size of the market, the depth of the talent pool and the policy incentives available. While acknowledging the challenges of establishing a major economic hub, he emphasised CBBC’s role in providing a platform for members to share their vision of the future of the GBA, saying, “CBBC has designed this conference to enhance understanding and awareness of opportunities and challenges, whether for UK business in the GBA or GBA companies looking to invest in the UK.”

Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong, in a video message during the morning plenary session, said, “We hope that investors all over the world will seize the opportunity to come to China, Guangdong and the GBA to explore the Chinese market and achieve new accomplishments. Guangdong is willing to join hands with our friends from the UK to work closer under the framework of China-UK relations to realise mutual benefits on a higher level and with higher quality.”

Also offering welcome remarks during the morning plenary session were Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, China-Britain Business Council; Sarah Mann, Consul-General, British Consulate Guangzhou; Zhu Xiaojun, Deputy Director-General, Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province; and Dr Jimmy Chiang, Associate Director-General, Invest Hong Kong

The event continued with keynote speeches from three key speakers: ‘New Opportunities for International Cooperation in the Greater Bay Area (Qianhai)’ by Huang Xiaopeng, First Deputy Director-General, Qianhai Authority; ‘London – Technology, Innovation & Building Global Communities’ by Janet Coyle, CBE, Managing Director, Grow London at London & Partners; ‘Opportunities for Foreign Companies in the Greater Bay Area and HSBC’s Strategic Choices’ by Richard Li, Managing Director, External Relations, South China, HSBC; and ‘Transformation and Growth Through Uncertainty’, by Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, Chief Executive, Management Accounting, AICPA & CIMA.

This was followed by two CBBC-moderated discussions on capitalising on the GBA’s potential for cross-border cooperation and the role British business can play in the development of a sustainable and economically diverse GBA integration strategy.

In the afternoon, attendees had the option to attend one of two sub-forums on ‘International Technology and Innovation Cooperation in the GBA’ and ‘Growth Beyond Borders: Expanding Your Business into the UK and Beyond’, respectively.

Looking ahead, CBBC remains committed to building on the inaugural UK-Greater Bay Area Conference and investigating the future opportunities between the UK and the GBA.

Thank you to our partner, the Qianhai International Talent Hub; our gold sponsors, BSI, HSBC and London & Partners; our silver sponsors, AICPA & CIMA, Berkeley Group and the Welsh Government; and our supporting organisations, the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong, the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong, Invest Hong Kong, Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen, China Chamber of International Commerce Zhuhai Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce Qianhai and Shenzhen Outbound Alliance.

Click here to see more photos from the event