Chinese interns to help UK groups tackle China

The UK government is to place Chinese students among British businesses to help prepare the country to trade more efficiently with China in the future.

Entering the Chinese market could become a whole lot simpler for UK spirit groups with the help of Chinese interns

The move is part of the Great Ambassadors scheme, a pilot programme run by UK Trade and Investment and the University of Sheffield.

The scheme is designed to provide British business with “valuable and cost-effective access to Chinese language, cultural and business knowledge”.

The decision to pilot the scheme using Chinese students is down to statistics that show China’s import demand is “expected to dwarf all the other emerging powers,” rising by US$3.4 trillion between 2010 and 2020.

Despite sales currently flagging in China in Scotch and Cognac in particular as a result of the government’s infamous austerity measures, spirits brands still view the country as a key market in the long term.

Trade Minister Lord Livingston said: “China offers great opportunities for UK companies of all sizes, with growing demand for brand Britain. Chinese-speaking students can help UK businesses to overcome the linguistic and cultural barriers that could stand between them and the Chinese market.”

The scheme will encourage Chinese interns to help companies establish an online presence, market its products through social media, liaise with Chinese distributors, proide advice on Chinese culture, and help develop Chinese versions of company brands.

The University of Sheffield has been chosen as the host institution for the Great Ambassadors programme due to its large Chinese student population.

Paul White, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Sheffield, said: “This scheme gives our Chinese speaking students the unique opportunity to acquire valuable employability skills with innovative companies who are looking to develop and expand their trade links with China.”

Companies wishing to participate should contact Yiyun Ling at the University of Sheffield at y.ling@sheffield.ac.uk.