Business secretary helps BT offer UK firms a chance in China

Vince Cable opens doors on carrier's new customer centre in Beijing during major state visit

Chinese takeway: Business secretary Vince Cable hopes this week's visit will help bring lucrative business to UK firms

Carrier BT claims its newly opened Customer Innovation Showcase Centre in Beijing can help ambitious UK firms explore the lucrative Chinese market.

The centre was opened today by business secretary Vince Cable, who is in China as part of an almost 50-strong delegation of political and business leaders. The trip has seen prime minister David Cameron attempt to clear the way for more UK firms to drum up business in the Far East.

The centre will house videoconferencing equipment and networked applications. The carrier claims this will allow it to demonstrate the ease with which UK companies can use the same technology in China as they do in this country. BT also hopes it will assist Chinese businesses looking to expand into other territories.

Cable said: "I am delighted to see so many companies capitalising on the opportunities offered by China’s development and I hope this week’s visit will serve to open doors for more UK firms.

“BT is our oldest telecommunications company, which makes it a British icon in its own right, and this new Customer Innovation Showcase Centre in Beijing shows just how far it has come in expanding its services abroad."

BT entered the Chinese market 15 years ago and its presence there now includes a Technology and Service Centre in Dalian, a Research and Development Centre in Beijing and a Procurement Delivery Centre in Shanghai.

Earlier this year, the telco announced it was increasing its investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The firm is looking to expand the portfolio it offers there as well as adding 300 staff across the territory.

Kevin Taylor, managing director of BT Asia-Pacific, said: “China is already an important market for BT and has become an increasingly strategic growth opportunity for expanding UK companies. No less than 80 per cent of BT’s largest customers by company turnover are expanding in Asia.

“By offering in China the same leading technologies and services we are reputed for in the UK, we are in the best possible position to help large UK business customers expand into China, as well as to support Chinese corporations increase their ability to do business outside of China.”