Greater Manchester's Trade Mission to Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China, 2026

The GM Business Growth Hub, Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Department for Business and Trade are delighted to invite businesses in the city region to join us on the upcoming Trade Mission to China, led by Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority portfolio lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth.

China remains one of Greater Manchester's top trading partners, offering significant opportunities for export growth, investment, and innovation. The mission will strengthen existing relationships, explore new commercial opportunities, and support businesses looking to expand into one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

Why China?

• Established trade relationship with the UK, with bilateral trade worth nearly £100 billion annually, making China one of the UK’s top trading partners.
• British and Greater Manchester companies could be exporting an additional USD$25bn to this high growth market, offering opportunities across a wide range of sectors such as Food and Drink, Luxury Consumer Goods, Automotive, Machinery and Equipment, Chemicals and Manufactured Goods to mention but a few.
• Access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, with a growing middle class driving demand for high-quality international goods and services.
• Strong demand for UK expertise and premium brands, particularly in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, education, financial services, clean growth, and creative industries.
• Rapid digital and e-commerce expansion, offering scalable routes to market through major online platforms and cross-border trade channels.
• Opportunities for long-term strategic partnerships, including joint ventures, research collaboration, and supply chain integration within one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Why Shenzhen and Hong Kong?

Hong Kong and Shenzhen are two of China’s leading business and innovation hubs. Hong Kong is a top global financial centre, home to 600+ fintech firms and ranked the world’s #1 fintech hub. Shenzhen is China’s advanced manufacturing engine, producing one‑sixth of the country’s electronics and hosting global giants like Huawei and Tencent. Together, they offer direct access to fast‑growing markets, advanced supply chains and world‑class R&D ecosystems.

Who should be registering interest for the mission?

• The mission is open to Greater Manchester businesses only, ideally operating within digital and consumer goods.
• If you are already an experienced global trader and/or with some presence in China, we welcome your expression of interest.
• We are also looking for Greater Manchester businesses with a strong record in the UK domestic market, and who are ready to scale up in global markets.

When will the Mission take place and which cities?

The mission will include: Shenzhen and Hong Kong and pencilled dates are from the 15th-19th June, 2026.

We will be hosting a pre-mission briefing, including cultural awareness and how to get the most out of a mission to China week commencing 16th April.

Deadline for Expression of Interest

Companies interested should express interest by 27th March, 2026 (23:30 p.m.). Selected companies will be informed by early April.

What to expect once selected?

We will be carrying out Pre-Mission Briefings from April to provide further details on the draft programme and logistics.

Costs

There are no fees associated to participate in the mission; and selected SMEs for the mission could be eligible to apply for a grant to support travel and/or accommodation expenses.

Disclaimer

Please note your details will be shared with Mission's Partners to facilitate the delivery of this event.

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