About us
The International Trade Team has overall responsibility for developing the Council’s links in China and India. Our primary role is to promote export activities from Essex and attract new foreign investment through these links. We are also responsible for coordinating and supporting the Council’s different programmes of activity in these countries to ensure synergies are fully exploited.
What we do differently
Essex has always been strongly international in its outlook and economy, and in pursuing its lead role in promoting the county's economic, social and environmental well-being, Essex County Council recognised some time ago the scale and importance of China's and India's emergence as economic giants. In China and India, we work alongside our national, regional and local trade and investment partners wherever possible. In both countries we are able to add value to their offerings so Essex companies can achieve better results on their export sales.
In China, we offer a distinctive advantage: our relationship with the Jiangsu Province and our Representative Office in Nanjing. The collaboration with Jiangsu began in 1988 and it is based on the recognition by both sides that local governments must take a leading role in improving their areas by working with equally committed partners. This relationship encompasses trade, civic, education and cultural links. Over the twenty years of the relationship this has created enormous goodwill, political and practical support for Essex in many Jiangsu government departments and municipalities. Through our office in Nanjing we are able to utilise these resources to help Essex businesses obtain local market knowledge and set up well-targeted face-to-face meetings and also to identify inward investment leads.
Our work in India started a couple of years ago. After two successful trade missions to the market, we have been able to develop strong links with local partners in the states of Maharashtra, Karnakata and Andhra Pradesh. Working directly with the British High Commission, we are able to offer Essex companies first hand up-to-date information from sector specialists on the ground in emerging cities such as Pune and Hyderabad or more consilidated markets such as Mumbai and Bangalore.
The International Trade Team leverages these links in both countries and focuses on helping Essex exporters become aware of potential opportunities, organising outward trade visits and incoming business delegations and working with partners to signpost Essex businesses to all programmes of support available for exporters.
The team
The International Trade Team is formed by:
 Head of International Trade Team
T: +44 (0) 1245 434302
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Wei Li
Chief Representative - Nanjing
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Simon Maidment
International Trade Coordinator
T: +44 (0) 1245 430 350
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Ge Jing
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