BUSINESS WOMEN S VISIT TO CHINA May/June 2015 Statistics show that only 16% of women-led businesses in the UK engage in international trade. We also know that less than 10% of delegates participating on organized trade visits are women. The biggest challenge for smaller enterprises is growth; and growth today means finding international markets, suppliers and partners. The objective for this trade visit is to introduce business opportunities to all women participants with support before, during and after the visit. We want to inspire women to build their business with China by removing perceived barriers including language, cultural and distance. Interestingly, Yang Yao wrote an article in China Daily in May 2014 saying that China's female entrepreneurs need to create networks to discover new opportunities and markets, and improve their capabilities. According to the China Women s Chamber of Commerce, there are around 29 million female entrepreneurs in China, who account for less than 20% of the total number of entrepreneurs nationwide. Around 16 million of them are entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises which equates to 45% of the total number of SME entrepreneurs. The Business Women s Visit to China will take place from 31 st May to 6 th June 2015 and will visit Beijing, Shanghai & Hong Kong organised by women led businesses; ConnectChina Ltd www.connectchina.co.uk and Maiden- Voyage.com. About Connect China ConnectChina is a Yorkshire based consultancy providing a range of practical business support to help companies and organisations develop their business with China. With our Shanghai office and through our network of established partners across China, we can provide independent specialist expertise to make sure you achieve your goals whether it be sourcing, selling, investment or startup in China. About Maiden Voyage Maiden Voyage is a business travel network helping professional women to expand their professional network globally when travelling on business. Through the site you can connect with other professional women, contact local ambassadors for local recommendations or cultural and safety information and find a female friendly hotel at your destination.
SHOULD YOU JOIN OUR BUSINESS WOMEN S VISIT TO CHINA? Are you a woman led business? Are you excited about the potential of developing your business or source products in China? Are you willing to invest time and resources? If so, ConnectChina will do a COMPLIMENTARY assessment to ensure that your product or service is suitable and has potential for the China market before you register. Once registered, we will work closely with you to help you to develop the skills needed to do business with China through workshops and/or webinars. Following engagement in the market, we will ensure you have the capacity and support to follow through with the contacts you have made and secure the business. The support will be proactive and the guidance and advice of our mentors and advisors will be critical. We will work with you to actively encourage professional and efficient follow up to enquiries and potential orders and, critically, to address any barriers to fulfilling the business such as finance, language and technical issues.
DRAFT PROGRAMME FOR THE VISIT subject to change Proposed outgoing flight for UK departure Saturday, 30 May 14.05 Depart Manchester Airport T1 Emirates EK18 Sunday, 31 May 00.15 Arrive Dubai Airport T3 04.10 Depart Dubai Airport T3 Emirates EK305 15.25 Arrive Beijing Note: Participants can manage their own schedule to get to Beijing Sunday, 31 May Eve Welcome reception in Beijing Monday, 1 June Briefing at British Embassy in Beijing Networking reception meeting Beijing businesswomen Maiden Voyage Beijing Ambassador in attendance Tuesday, 2 June Eve Internal flight to Shanghai & Group transfer to hotel Wednesday, 3 June Briefing at British Consulate in Shanghai Networking reception meeting Shanghai businesswomen Maiden Voyage Shanghai Ambassador in Attendance Thursday, 4 June Eve Internal flight to Hong Kong & Group transfer to hotel Friday, 5 June Briefing at British Consulate in Hong Kong Networking reception Hong Kong businesswomen Maiden Voyage Hong Kong ambassador in attendance Saturday, 6 June Proposed return flight for UK arrival Saturday, 6 June 19.20 Depart Hong Kong T1 Emirates EK383 23.10 Arrive Dubai Airport T3 Sunday, 7 June 03.00 Depart Dubai T3 Emirates EK21 07.40 Arrive Manchester Airport T1 Please do not book flights until all travel plans are confirmed which will be after the cut-off date of 31 March 2015 We will also organize a number of additional social activities in each city for those who wish to participate
CALENDAR FOR THE DELEGATES Calendar Activity 31 March Cut-off date for registration 15, 22, 29 April, 6 May Doing Business in China Webinars/Workshops 13 May Introduction to Mandarin Chinese Webinar/Workshop 20 May Pre-visit briefing for the business visit 30 May-7 June Business Women s Visit to China 17 June De-briefing and follow ups - Working with you to ensure that follow ups are done and helping you to win your first orders THE PACKAGE THE PACKAGE BUSINESS SUPPORT Full support and advice both at home and in market before, during and after One to one pre-arranged business meetings minimum 3 per company in each city Chinese business culture workshops x 4 & beginners Mandarin (webinar or workshop) Pre-event briefing Business cards translated & printed in Chinese A4 Profile translated into Chinese Networking reception in each city with Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Business briefings in each city on arrival Interpreters Trade Visit brochure 3,560.00 plus VAT (if applicable) TRAVEL Economy flight Beijing-Shanghai Economy flight Shanghai-Hong Kong accommodation in Beijing accommodation in Shanghai accommodation in Hong Kong Group airport transfers in Hong Kong & mainland China Single entry visa application (for UK participants only but visa invitation letters will be provided for non-uk) Sightseeing in each city *Flight costs and accommodation are subject to availability and currency exchange rates Note the package does not include long haul flights (to China and return from Hong Kong). Indicative prices from Manchester as follows: Economy class Business class 576.28 1989.28 Flight quotations from other locations can be arranged through our official travel agent - Traveleads and the contact is Emma Louise Field Tel: +44 (0)113 245 7745 or email elfield@traveleads.net.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NEXT? 1 Complete the expression of interest at the end of this information pack and return to joanna@connectchina.co.uk. A deposit of 1,000 plus VAT will be required to confirm your booking once you have registered in full and the balance will be required in full 4 weeks before departure 2. Our official travel agent is Traveleads and the contact is Emma Louise Field Tel: +44 (0)113 245 7745 or email elfield@traveleads.net. You can vary your dates and departure or destination within China and we can help you to plan your travel arrangements 3. Please send a scanned copy of your passport to joanna@connectchina.co.uk for the visa invitation letter as you will need a Chinese Visa to go to China. We will arrange the invitation letter and your single entry visa. You will need to complete the Chinese visa application form with the signed declaration, passport photo and passport. We will send these forms to you in due course. 4. Once you are registered, you will need to complete a Company Profile Form in order that we can arrange an individual B2B meeting programme for you 5. Please scan and email a copy of your business card for translation into Chinese and printing One set of business cards is included in the package additional sets will cost 50.00 per set 6. We will translate your A4 Company Profile translated into Chinese with you to leave with your Chinese partners 7. We recommend the following immunization for China: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A consult your doctor. It is recommended that you take out private health insurance.. 8. We will hold Chinese Business Culture.Mandarin Chinese & Pre-Visit Briefing Webinars and Workshops We will assess your suitability for the China market once we have received your expression of interest Flight costs and accommodation are subject to availability and currency exchange rates You should have 6 months left on your passport at the time of departure Visas will be arranged week commencing 11 May 2014 You will receive the business cards on arrival in Beijing Dates are shown on the calendar Please note the following: 1. All prices are plus VAT (if applicable) 2. Payment can be made by credit card at an additional 3%