In cooperation with UKTI, the CETREGIO programme also supported an SME mission to Tianjin from 01 to 06 December 2014. Representatives from the West Midlands European Service, the Climate KIC Programme and five SMEs from the energy efficiency sector will held several meetings in five districts of Tianjin in order to explore the cooperation possibilities. The mission was undertaken with the full support of the China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
A number of business to business meetings were organised for Cambond Ltd, Greengineering Ltd., GreenHill Sustainability Ltd, JJ BioEnergy Ltd and Unicorn Power Ltd. Also events organised by the Beichen SME association at Beichen Economic & Technological Development Area (BEDA), a brokerage event organised by the Tianjin Municipal Science & Technology Commission and meetings with companies in the Binhai Hi-Tech Zone and Dongli Incubator Centre close to Tianjin International Airport. Meetings also took place with local authorities, research organisations and business parks as well governors and mayors from the different areas of the Tianjin region.
A number of useful contacts were made by the British companies and in three cases discussions have progressed to early stage contract negotiations. Following positive feedback from the British companies and NDRC it is hoped that further business missions could be undertaken to Tianjin and companies and representatives from Tianjin could visit the West Midlands in 2015. Such activity would further cement the relationship that has developed between Tianjin and the West Midlands.