Chinese investors explore Smithfield opportunities

Delegates representing top international investment firms from China have visited Smithfield, the site of Stoke-on-Trent’s brand new central business district, to see the work going on there for themselves.

The group, led by business academic Dr Yu Xiong, who is executive chairman of the China Innovation and Development Association, spent an afternoon being briefed on a range of investment opportunities in the city, including the new city centre Smithfield development. The delegates, representing more than 10,000 Chinese businesses are keen to invest in the UK.

Dr Yu, who is also working with the UK Government’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to forge creative partnerships with businesses in the UK, said: “The last group of investors we brought over in May were really impressed by the city’s welcome, the can-do attitude, and the range of innovative and creative enterprises bubbling up in the city.

“I know that some of the party are thinking hard about potential collaborations and investments. Now this next group really are big players and serious investors looking out for an opportunity to build on success,” he said.