Scots cashmere makers targeted by Chinese firm

Cashmere makers in Scotland are being invited to pitch for business with a Chinese trading company.

A Chinese firm is looking to do business with Scottish cashmere producers. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) said the unnamed firm, based in the eastern city of Qingdao, acts as agent and distributor for international brands supplying products such as food, wine, clothes and jewellery.

It is now focusing on importing “high quality” cashmere clothing and accessories from Scotland and has set a closing date of 1 May for suppliers to register their interest.

“The organisation is also open to discussing a long-term co-operation with the right company,” said the CBBC, which partners with government agency UK Trade & Investment in China.

Last week, a Hong Kong-backed company, Lyber 2016, struck a deal to buy the brand of Hawick Knitwear, which fell into administration earlier this year with the loss of more than 120 jobs.

The sale, which included plant and machinery, was secured by joint administrators Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar of KPMG, who had hoped to sell the business as a going concern.