12
December
2018
|
15:23
Europe/Amsterdam

Chinese Ministry of Commerce on fact finding visit to London Stansted

London Stansted today welcomed a senior delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to view progress on the airport’s £600 million investment programme and learn more about the opportunities that exist for Chinese airlines to provide direct long-haul service into Stansted.

The visit follows the official launch last month in Parliament of the East of England China Forum which aims to create a new partnership between the region and China to stimulate inward investment, tourism spend, student numbers and export opportunities by securing a Chinese air link.

 

I am delighted to welcome the team from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to London Stansted and share with them details of our £600 million programme to transform the airport and route development plans to attract Chinese carriers to the airport.

Our ambition is for Stansted to be the Chinese gateway to the East of England, helping attract more investors and tourists to the region. The London-Stansted-Cambridge economic corridor is already one of the UK’s major success stories, and improved connectivity and access will only help build on this great track record.

Stansted is forecast to deliver up to 50 per cent of London’s expected passenger growth over the next decade and make a greater contribution to improving the UK’s connectivity with the rest of the world, especially to fast growing markets such as China, so it’s vital we showcase what a great asset the airport is so we can take full advantage of the opportunities arising from greater economic co-operation between the UK and China.
Ken O’ Toole, London Stansted’s CEO

Last year, China accounted for 30 per cent of all global economic growth and the country’s sustained expansion has created a surge in UK bound tourism and investment as well as increased demand for British education, research capabilities, goods and services. In 2016, the combined value of imports and exports between the East of England and China was valued at £4.3 billion.