CBBC Outlook 2024 - Can China’s economic growth & market potential continue to meet the expectations of British businesses?

UK time:

24/01/2024 09:00 - 24/01/2024 10:00

China time:

24/01/2024 17:00 - 24/01/2024 18:00

Venue: Attendees can join live in CBBC's London office or watch the session online

Following the end of pandemic restrictions, China’s economic recovery throughout 2023 didn’t manage to reach the highs many had predicted. While tackling challenges that presented themselves in the aftermath from slowing inward investment from overseas, a profound crisis in the real estate market, high youth unemployment and the subsequent impact that this had on both consumer sentiment and demand, China’s economy has performed better this year overall than in 2022 and continues to outperform other major global economies.

With China remaining the UK’s biggest trade partner in Asia and its 4th largest trading partner globally (2nd if taking into account Hong Hong in ONS data), China continues to present significant business opportunities for UK businesses owing to its vast market, a business environment that being continually optimized to attract foreign investment back to the market, a significant demand for British products and expertise across the modern industries; a distinct need for financial and professional services, healthcare solutions, education products - and of course a middle class that continues to both mature and grow.

Its recovery is clear in UK trade figures which according to ONS data show goods exports to China and Hong Kong grew 71% to £44.4 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023. During the third calendar quarter, China’s economy grew 4.9% — outpacing most major economies — and its retail sales saw a 7.6% year-on-year increase in October demonstrating that recovery is starting to get back on track. This is positive news for British businesses and further reinforces that the China market should be a fundamental consideration for businesses seeking to growth their international trade volumes.

What does this mean for British businesses and your plans for the China market in 2024?

To help companies plan for 2024, this webinar will firstly provide an update on CBBC’s market outlook for the year from CBBC's Chief Executive, Andrew Seaton alongside CBBC China’s leadership, Tom Simpson, Managing Director China Operations and Kiran Patel, Senior Director, Commercial.

It will provide an overview of key sectors for growth and highlight the key tradeshows, events, and business development opportunities in China to lock into your diaries for the year ahead.

Agenda:

9:00 am – 9:05 am: Welcome Remarks (In Person – CBBC London Office Boardroom)

Andrew Seaton, Chief Executive, China-Britain Business Council

9:05am – 9:25 am: China Macro Economic Overview (Online)

Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China Operations, China-Britain Business Council

9:25 am – 9:45 am – Exploring Market Opportunities in 2024 (Online)

Kiran Patel, Senior Director, Commercial, China-Britain Business Council

9:45am – 10:00am - Opportunities for Audience Q&A

10:00am – 10:30am – Networking (In Person – CBBC London Office Boardroom)

Speakers:

speaker

Andrew Seaton, Chief Executive, China-Britain Business Council

Prior to joining CBBC, Andrew was Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong from 2015-2020, and also served as an Independent Non Executive Director for Wharf REIC Ltd during this time. He was formerly a member of the UK Diplomatic Service spending much of his career working on UK-China relations, including postings to the Embassy in Beijing, as Head of the China Department in the FCO, and as British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao. Andrew was educated at the University of Leeds and Beijing University.

Tom

Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China Operations & China Chief Representative at the China Britain-Business Council

Tom is based out of Beijing and leads the CBBC’s Government Affairs, Policy, Membership & Events, and Operations teams in China.

He has been at the CBBC since joining in 2013 as Guangzhou Chief Representative. In 2015, he moved to Beijing to take on the role of Director, Creative Industries & Sports, before being becoming Senior Director, Commercial (China) in 2018 and then became Managing Director, China in 2019.

Tom has previously served as the Chongqing General Manager for the British Chamber of Commerce Southwest China from 2010 to 2011, and General Manager of the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong from 2011 to 2013 where he was based in Guangzhou.

Tom is originally from Edinburgh and attended Leeds University where he studied Chinese. Before University Tom volunteered for the British charity Project Trust in Xinjiang between 2004 to 2005.

Kiran

Kiran Patel - Senior Director (Commercial), China-Britain Business Council

Kiran Patel is the China-Britain Business Council’s senior director for commercial services and is responsible for the work of the organisation’s sector teams across its 9 offices within the mainland.

A former diplomat within the British Embassy’s Cultural & Education Section with the British Council, Kiran has been living in China since 2004 and has extensive experience of conducting public affairs, business development, marketing, and strategic communications in and with the country.

An active member of the international business community in China for two decades, Kiran has also worked in the professional services sector. He is a fluent Mandarin speaker.

Events

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CBBC Outlook 2024 - Can China’s economic growth & market potential continue to meet the expectations of British businesses?