12 March 2014
Airport City Manchester and equity partner Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) will tour China in June to convince Chinese businesses to set up in the new subsidised commercial development in the UK.
Visiting Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, the joint venture partners will try and attract occupier investors, manufacturers and property agents to the $1.3bn (£800m) development at Manchester Airport.
BCEG was designated a 20% partner in Airport City in October last year and is building the development along with UK firm Carillion, also 20% equity holder.
Other venture partners include Greater Manchester Pension Fund (10%), with Argent appointed as the Development Manager. Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has the remaining 50% share.
From left, David Partridge of Argent, Charlie Cornish of MAG, and Xing Yan of BCEG announced plans for a Chinese roadshow in June
"Airport City Manchester is set to change the UK economic landscape and way the North West of England does business," said Managing Director of BCEG International, Mr Xing Yan.
"As well as showcasing the business benefits, we’ll also be able to give first hand advice and support on integrating into British life, the education system and the immigration/visa system."
Argent’s Managing Partner, David Partridge said: "Plans for the development are progressing at a great pace and now is the time to show the world how Airport City Manchester can help connect their business to an international market."
As part of the joint venture for Airport City Manchester, BCEG have established a 25-person office at Manchester Airport.
Airport City Manchester is a UK Government-designated Enterprise Zone providing subsidies in the form of business rate discounts, worth up to £275,000, super-fast broadband, simplified planning procedures.
