South Wales Regional Partnership champions economic link with China

The Regional Partnership Forum for South West Wales supported Swansea University in welcoming a delegation from Anhui Province, China to South West Wales in March.

Past meetings between the university and representatives from Anhui Province

have identified an opportunity for an economic development link between Anhui Province and South West Wales, key to which is collaboration between Swansea and Anhui Universities, and the meeting on 15th March provided the delegation with an introduction to the region.

Steve Phillips, Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council met with the delegation during their visit and said:

"I was delighted to meet with the delegation from Anhui Province during their visit to South West Wales."

"Anhui's relationships with regions such as Maryland in the United States and Lower Saxony in Germany have proved incredibly beneficial for investment and economic development, and in particular have provided important opportunities for technology transfer between the partners."

Also welcoming the delegation, Mark James, Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Borough Council added:

"The potential for a region to region economic development link between Anhui Province and South West Wales is very exciting; it would allow for the transfer of knowledge between Anhui and South West Wales and could bring major economic opportunities from future collaboration."

Professor Iwan Davies, Pro Vice Chancellor for Internationalisation and External Affairs, Swansea University said:

"The role of Swansea University is to be a powerhouse for the knowledge economy. Knowledge does not stop at borders, so it is important to have international collaboration generating new ideas and ways of working across continents."

"I am sure the delegates enjoyed the chance to explore South West Wales and that the visit was an important step in building economic links between the two regions."

Anhui, with a population of 64 million, has been establishing overseas relationships for over 30 years and now 67 cities in 40 countries worldwide are twinned with cities in Anhui Province. During their visit, the delegates were welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Swansea and had the chance to meet with representatives from the University and from across South West Wales, including Pembrokeshire. The programme for the day also included a tour of the Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University and visits to Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire.