A CHINA affairs specialist at Bradford-based Chamber International has been selected to speak at a free seminar in Leeds this month to help businesses access the Asian export market.

China affairs associate at Chamber International, Matthew Grandage (pictured), is among six speakers at the Think Asia, Think Hong Kong: Your Super-Connector to the Belt and Road business seminar at the Leeds Marriott Hotel on June 28.

The three-hour seminar, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, London, will highlight new opportunities and developments in Hong Kong and China along with the Belt and Road initiative

Hong Kong is a now a successful international business, trade and financial centre and the world's ninth largest trading economy, with mainland China as its most important market.

Mr Grandage, a fluent Mandarin speaker who spent 15 years living and working in China, said: “With Brexit uncertainties at home and an unpredictable administration in the White House, British businesses are increasingly looking to the vast, growing markets of east Asia for new opportunities.

“Under the banner of the One Belt One Road strategy, China is investing considerably in order to position herself as the leader for global trade. A strategic location, stable administration and strong relationship with the UK make Hong Kong a consistently attractive option for UK businesses seeking access to the Greater China region and southeast Asia.”

Other speakers at the event are the director general of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, Ms Priscilla To; director of UK, Benelux & Ireland, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, David Marsden; Head of Investment Promotion, InvestHK, Andrew Davis; Partner, Signature Litigation LLP, Josh Wong; China Business Advisor - the Northern Powerhouse, Ms Hailing Yu.

David Marsden, director UK, Benelux and Ireland, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said: “In recent years there has been a significant shift in the global economy from West to East, with China and the Asia-Pacific region being the main engines of growth.

"Following Brexit, UK companies should look further afield for new opportunities to sell and source their goods and services. Hong Kong is a super-connector to the rapidly-growing markets of China and Asia.

“Hong Kong’s unique advantages include its strategic location, rule of law, level playing field for business, strong intellectual property regime, pre-eminence as a leading international financial centre, expertise in professional and trade-related services, deep talent pool and expertise and unrivalled experience of successfully doing business across the region.”

After the speakers, there will be a questions and answers session.

Chamber International helps hundreds of new and experienced exporters with a wide range of specialist services to make exporting easier and more cost effective each year and is exclusively partnered with London headquartered global testing organisation, Intertek, to assist with a wide range of issues including product conformity.