For many companies, outsourcing the manufacture of components or finished products to China has become a key aspect of supply chain management or new product development. Value is added here in the UK and finished products are often re-exported to markets around the world. China has been described as the shop floor of the world, but rising costs have made companies re-evaluate the opportunities there. Is China a good place to manufacture the products you need? Faced with tens of thousands of suppliers, how can you generate a good shortlist, negotiate yourself a good deal, ensure quality and get the best out of the relationship? And looking ahead, how can you best support your supplier relationships on the ground in China and position your business to take advantage of further opportunities in China’s domestic market?

This series of seminars recognises that identifying the right supplier is key, but is also the beginning of a long journey of verification, negotiation and quality control – all within an unfamiliar business culture. Moreover, next steps that can support activities in China, such as setting up a Representative Office, Foreign Invested Commercial Enterprise or through acquisition can present further challenges. Whether a company is planning to develop and manage its supply chain in China directly or via a third party agency, or whether it is on the verge of taking the next steps to establish its own presence in China, this series of seminars will make an valuable contribution to its overall knowledge of doing business in China, increasing the likelihood of receiving goods on time and according to required cost and specification, and of successfully establishing structures in China to support the business.

COST: 1) Individual places at £38 + VAT (@17.5%) = £44.65 per workshop 2) Individual places at £23 + VAT (@17.5%) = £27.03 (CBBC members, HSBC and partners’ clients) per workshop. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Linda Rosen at the China-Britain Business Council, 28a, York Place, Leeds LS1 2EZ E-mail: linda.rosen@cbbc.org ; Tel: 0113 247 1584 Fax: 0113 247 1111.