A DELEGATION of Chinese Government officials and businesses visited Harlow and the Enterprise Zone at London Road yesterday (6 December 2013) as part of exploring business opportunities in the UK.

A group, which was made up of officials from Jiangsu province, together with representatives from businesses and Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation International Co., Ltd, are in the country on a two week visit.

The Development and Reform Commission, one of the most powerful Government departments, was part of the delegation. It is responsible for strategic planning and policy making related to all areas of economic development.

The delegation were welcomed to Harlow by the Chair of Harlow Council Councillor Linda Pailing and Councillor Tony Durcan Portfolio Holder for Resources and Enterprise. The visit, which was organised in partnership with Essex County Council, included a visit to the Enterprise Zone at London Road, Harlow.

Councillor Tony Durcan, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Resources and Enterprise, said: “I was delighted to be part of the Harlow Team which met the delegation from Jiangsu Province to show them the business opportunities Harlow can offer. Essex is developing strong links with the Jiangsu Province and I very much hope for Harlow that this is the start of an on-going relationship with China. Not only do we want to attract businesses from the UK to Harlow but also investment from abroad to help create new local jobs and opportunities to improve Harlow. With the Harlow Enterprise Zone we have a real opportunity to make this happen.”

Andrew Bramidge, Enterprise Zone Project Director, said: “We were delighted to welcome the delegation from Jiangsu Province to Harlow and to have the opportunity to talk to them about the Harlow Enterprise Zone. The Chinese are the largest overseas investors in the UK at present and this is potentially an important market for us to explore. It is very encouraging that even at this early stage of the Enterprise Zone development in Harlow we are attracting some interest and building some contacts for future development opportunities.”