New markets in Asia should be at the top of local firms’ thinking in 2018 says Havant MP Alan Mak following a trade promotion visit to Southern China.
During the visit aimed at promoting Havant-based firms to the wider Asia market, the Conservative MP met the British Consul-General in Southern China and sales representatives of marine parts manufacturer Lewmar. Mr Mak praised Lewmar, based on Southmoor Lane in Havant, for setting up an extensive sales and distribution network in China to sell goods made in Havant, securing local jobs.
Mr Mak is now calling on other local businesses to consider setting up offices or sending sales teams to Asia which has a market of over two billion people.
Mr Mak said: “Backing local businesses and strengthening our economy remains my top priority as local MP. That means selling more goods made in Havant abroad to secure jobs here at home. Firms like Lewmar are leading the way in Asia, and I hope others will follow their example this year. Brexit means we must redouble our efforts to promote our exports and find new markets – Asia should be top of the list.”
Mr Mak met sales staff working on behalf of Havant-based Lewmar, who sells boat parts such as anchors to clients in Asia such as Hong Kong’s prestigious Royal Yacht Club. The company’s reputation for high quality engineering and manufacturing is valued by Asian clients, and the MP was able to meet the sales team selling Havant-made products.
Peter Tierney, Lewmar CEO, said: “Despite being a leading exporter of maritime equipment with a global outlook, our home very much remains in Havant. We use a network of dealers around the world and we were pleased that our MP made the effort to meet our Southern China sales team on his trade visit promoting our area abroad. We feel positive that we can continue to expand our exporting operation.”
During the visit Mr Mak also met British Consul-General Karen Maddocks who heads the UK diplomatic mission in Southern China, and acts as the UK’s ambassador-equivalent in the region.
Based in the fast-growing city of Guangzhou, Mrs Maddocks said, “Southern China represents a substantial export opportunity for British businesses including from Havant. I’m delighted Alan Mak MP visited our region to promote his constituency’s businesses, and meet sales people working hard to promote Havant-made exports.”
Mak added: “Havant’s successful economy means we make and export everything from kitchen mixers to boat anchors around the world. This was a very successful trade promotion visit, and I was very proud as local MP to be championing our exporters to the world’s biggest markets.”
He also met the Chief Representative from UK business group the CBI to brief him on Havant’s business environment, and lobbied Chinese government officials to promote the Havant constituency, calling on them to consider Havant when thinking of setting up offices in Britain.
Picture: Trade Minister Mark Garnier (left )and Havant MP Alan Mak with Havant-based marine manufacturer Lewmar, and Managing Director Peter Tierney (right)