Pictured: Elisa Kuang, owner of the China Business Office

A new service has been launched which aims to help midlands businesses take advantage of the Chinese market.

The China Business Office has been set up by Nottingham based Dr Elisa Kuang. Elisa, who speaks fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese, formerly worked at the East Midlands Development Agency where she helped many organisations establish links with China, and also worked on projects to help to bring Chinese businesses into the region.

The China Business Office aims to assist companies in the region that want to do business with China. It provides a range of services, including helping companies identify opportunities and establish projects, communication and negotiation with Chinese businesses, and also language assistance. In addition, the China Business Office will also assist Chinese businesses that want to find UK based partners and enter the British market.

Speaking about the Chinese market, Elisa Kuang said: "China offers lots of opportunities for businesses in the midlands, in areas as diverse as low carbon technologies, to healthcare, education and many other industrial and service sectors. 

"British businesses can often provide the specialist expertise and products that Chinese companies are looking for, while Chinese companies can offer cost effective solutions for UK businesses, particularly in outsourcing. The China Business Office can help organisations in the UK identify new markets and partners in China."

Since setting up her business, Elisa has successfully established links between organisations in the East Midlands and China. She helped the Leicester and Nottingham architects, Stephen George International, to partner with the Chengxin Group in China, a leading construction group in Shanghai to provide expertise in constructing low carbon buildings.

David Taylor, Managing Director of Stephen George International, said: "Our business worked closely with China Business Office. Their specialist product knowledge in the market place and project management expertise in overseeing sometimes complex and difficult problems to completion are key strengths. 

"Their skill in understanding the commercial culture and language of China continues to be a valuable resource to Stephen George International, guiding our expanding export ambitions."

In addition, the China Business Office also helped Brooksby Melton College in Leicestershire and Chengdu College of Agricultural Science and Technology, establish links. The two colleges will together be running a joint teacher training programme. Rob Grant, Head of International Development at Brooksby Melton College, said: "Understanding the Chinese market is challenging. With the advice and support of China Business Office, we have progressed at an amazing speed.

"Elisa's understanding of the Chinese business culture has resulted in a very successful Chinese partnership. We are looking forward to working further with the company"