Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visits China

 

 

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visits China

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited China, where she undertook a series of high-profile business engagements to promote Scottish business in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, including hosting an ‘innovation’ showcase for Scottish companies to meet with Chinese investors. 

In total, Scottish firms signed partnership agreements in China worth more than £43 million, which are expected to create 70 jobs in Scotland. Examples of key announcements included:

• J&D Wilkie is building a new £3 million factory in Jianxing near Shanghai to enable it produce      technical textiles products and increase its competitiveness by bringing its entire yarn-spinning operations into one location. The deal will safeguard 90 jobs in Scotland and has the potential to double the J&D Wilkie positions in China. 
• Glasgow-based Digimania announced a 3D animation software training partnership with the Shanghai Arts and Design Academy as well as a joint venture with Chinese partner Pikatoons. The deals will increase Digimania’s revenue from China by approximately £12 million over three years, creating 12 new jobs in  Scotland and 14 new jobs in China.
• KAL ATM Software signed a partnership with JustTide, the Chinese OEN supplier, which will manufacture Retail Teller Machines (RTMs) for the worldwide market. 
• Aberdeen-based Plexus gained a multi-million pound investment from Jereh, one of the largest private oil firms in China. They also signed a collaboration agreement with China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL), Red Sea Technologies (RST), and Jereh to explore shallow water subsea and crossover wellhead production systems in China. COSL is majority owned by CNOOC.
• Technology companies Care Visions and Calnex Solutions signed trade deals alongside energy firms  SgurrEnergy Glasgow and GB Therma Chem and information technology companies Distrify Media and We.data.

The First Minister also undertook a series of cultural and educational engagements, which resulted in announcements such as:

• Scotland and China renewed the cultural Memorandum of Understanding, first signed in 2011, committing both sides to further collaboration in the arts and creative industries.
• The Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) signed an agreement to encourage further collaboration in the performing arts. Chinese artists will perform at the EIF, the Edinburgh fringe, and the Tattoo.
• Aberdeen University, Edinburgh Napier University, and English language training firm TEFL Scotland also signed deals.