BritCham SH co-hosted a roundtable with the UK Department for Business and Trade, bringing together representatives from the UK government, professional services and industry to discuss how UK expertise can support Chinese companies expanding internationally. The discussion explored emerging market trends, opportunities for collaboration and the practical challenges businesses face when entering overseas markets.
Participants noted that as more Chinese companies expand abroad, the demand for professional services is growing. UK firms were seen as well positioned to provide expertise across areas such as legal advisory, financial services, compliance, engineering, design and consulting. Beyond investment in the UK, there is an increasing opportunity to support Chinese companies operating in third markets.
The Middle East and Southeast Asia were highlighted as key destinations for outbound growth, driven by strong investment activity, supply chain links and expanding market opportunities. Participants also pointed to sectors such as energy transition, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure as areas with significant potential.
At the same time, companies continue to face challenges when internationalising. Compliance requirements, regulatory differences, currency risks and cross-cultural communication were identified as key barriers.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, professional bodies and industry to help businesses navigate global expansion more effectively and unlock new opportunities for partnership.
