Our region was lucky this August to host a visit from the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce. The SFIC returned to the North East for the first time after the signing of an MOU with the North East Chamber of Commerce in 2007 to further strengthen ties between the two regions and chambers of commerce. Being the largest Chamber of Commerce in China and a regional branch in the network of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, SFIC is involved not only in providing business consultation services to its 30,000 members but also participates in political activities on economic policy matters. These functions, combined with Shanghai抯 growing economic and commercial significance, render the SFIC a powerful ally for any region worldwide.

During their visit the delegates, a combination of SFIC officials led by Vice Chairman Jin and representatives from member companies, were welcomed by Ian Williams of One NorthEast, as well as James Ramsbotham and a group of representatives from NECC. The benefits of this alliance for regional businesses were demonstrated even in the short one-day program as a selection of local companies met with the delegates to explore the ways in which their companies could work together.

We look forward to seeing the positive results of these and many other future meetings between SFIC member and North East companies. The alliance between the two chambers of commerce only goes to demonstrate the ever-stronger links that the region, helped by the work of One NorthEast, is building with the Chinese business community.