WIREDGOV

An agreement between the UK and Guangdong province will help businesses work with Chinese partners to innovate and access global markets.

Representatives from the UK and Guangdong province met on 14 June 2017 to sign a memorandum of understanding that confirms their intention to work together.

Kevin Baughan, Deputy Chief Executive, signed on behalf of Innovate UK, meeting with Mr Hu Chuanhua, Party Secretary of Guangdong.

Innovation in Guangdong province

Guangdong is the largest provincial economy in China and a principle driver of the national economy. It offers significant opportunities for UK entrepreneurs to partner with like-minded organisations and collaborate on business research and development projects.

In July we will be opening a competition for UK businesses to collaborate with Chinese partners on projects to improve cities in the Guangdong province. This will focus on:

• smart mobility
• big data solutions that promote affordable healthcare
• smart platforms for sustainable urban environments

It will be part of the Newton Fund and impose official development assistance (ODA) criteria.

Other funding opportunities

In addition to the upcoming competition in Guangdong, there have been a number of other fund and connect programmes this year to support innovative UK-Chinese business partnerships.

Currently, up to £8 million is available to UK businesses and researchers to work with Chinese partners on cutting-edge technologies that solve agricultural challenges in China. This is a Newton Fund competition. The deadline for registrations is 26 July 2017.