Chinese entrepreneurs strengthen links with Scotland

Chinese entrepreneurs have jetted into Scotland to meet with a number of companies as part of a nine-day business tour aimed at developing international links.

From left: Yu Chunlei, chairman of Zhejiang Jiuding Investment Group, NetThings chief technology officer Conrad Chin, NetThings chief executive George McGhee and Su Jiancheng of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Picture: Contributed

The China Entrepreneur Club (CEC) comprises some of the country’s most influential entrepreneurs, business leaders and economists and exists to foster entrepreneurial exchange, cooperation and international collaboration.

A series of facility tours and meetings with companies including NetThings, Collagen Solutions, Mallzee, Money Dashboard and Sunamp have been arranged, as well as a China-Scotland “friendship golf match”.

CEC’s 49 member companies earned a total annual gross income of more than £338 billion in 2015.

The visit forms part of the annual China Entrepreneur Golf Club (CEGC) overseas business visit. The CEGC is part of the CEC and was formed in 2007 to bridge mutual interests in business and sport for China’s private sector business leaders.

Scottish Enterprise’s high growth markets unit made introductions for the CEGC to a number of Scottish companies interested in exploring business collaboration and opportunities with the group.

George McGhee, chief executive at NetThings, said: “At NetThings our vision is to be at the forefront of low-cost energy management technology and today we were delighted to host such prestigious entrepreneurs from China, many of whom have a wealth of knowledge in this area.

“Our aim is to work with partners globally to understand different markets, build upon our own learnings and educate our team and today was a fantastic opportunity to work with CEC to do this.”

Maggie Cheng, secretary-general of the China Entrepreneur Club, said: “Initiated by the CEC in 2007, the CEGC was created to bridge business and sport across China’s private sector business leaders. The delegation is very excited to experience Scotland, Scottish golf culture and build business links between China and Scotland.

“In this trip to Scotland we will visit several distinctive Scottish companies. They are very impressive in areas of energy management, sustainable energy, real estate, and investment management.

“This will offer opportunity to better understand the strengths of business in Scotland. We hope more chances to carry out in-depth exchange in business with them in future.”