7:30am Wednesday 16th May 2012
By James Nadal
THE quest for international investment into Wycombe will continue next month as district council chiefs hold high level talks with business leaders from the Chinese Government.
Earlier this year Wycombe District Council revealed it had been meeting with Chinese business delegations as part of a strategy for job creation.
A meeting took place about three weeks ago with more senior far east officials than had previously visited.
In June, the council is set for further talks with high ranking Chinese representatives.
The council's plan to tackle unemployment and boost the economy, unveiled in recent months, specifically targets global investors.
A three year fund of £120,000 has been put aside to promote Wycombe and attract international businesses.
As well as China, the other leading developing nations - India, Russia and Brazil - have been earmarked.
WDC Deputy Leader Cllr Arif Hussain has been heavily involved in the discussions.
“We are building a good relationship, it's all very positive,” he said.
“They are very keen and interested and we have an open dialogue with them.
“From our point of view we want to make sure we keep working with them and encouraging them to come and invest some money.”
The Chinese delegation comprised a mixture of national Government, Local Government officials and businessmen.
Handy Cross, which the council is championing as a key regeneration site, is attracting interest, Cllr Hussain said.
Wycombe officials have also been invited back to China.
WDC Leader Cllr Alex Collingwood said the district is competing with other parts of the UK for Chinese cash.
But he said his team held a strong hand, being able to emphasise Wycombe's proximity to London and the M40 and said it is a place for economic growth.
The discussions are aimed at the long term, he said.
“We are trying to plant the seed in their mind now and it's just laying the foundations,” he said.
“What we are looking for is both to grow the existing companies and to attract others to have big clusters of world class companies together from all parts of the world so that we are a truly international destination, a place to work, live and play.”
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