The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently joined a five-day trade mission to Hong Kong and China, jointly led by the Master Cutler, Professor Keith Jackson, and Jerry Cheung, President of Sheffield Chamber and Managing Director of New Era Developments. Following the visit, Jerry reflected on the lessons learned, the partnerships forged and the opportunities the mission could unlock for South Yorkshire.
What do you think was the most valuable moment of the trip for the delegates?
Visiting a sustainability facility serving a district of four million people and learning about the pace of China's national sustainability programme was particularly valuable. Seeing a car manufacturing plant and a battery factory powered by AI and automation, alongside witnessing the remarkable scale of a central business district built in just 10 years in Panyu, was genuinely eye-opening.
The conference in Chengdu, Sheffield's sister city, was also a standout experience.
Is there anything you saw on the mission that you are ready to turn into action straight away now that you've returned?
The Asia Summit on Global Health, held on the first day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, was an outstanding experience.
Meeting representatives from InvestHK, InnovateHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will undoubtedly open doors for future collaboration.
The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Guangzhou Hong Kong Macau Youth Business Incubation Centre, and we are ready to put that partnership into action.
What were the key opportunities unlocked on the trip?
South Yorkshire excels in design, high-value innovation and advanced materials research through institutions such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The Greater Bay Area offers integrated electronics and hardware supply chains, rapid prototyping capabilities, large-scale manufacturing and access to finance..
Together, these strengths create a powerful partnership. Sheffield provides the design and innovation expertise, while the Greater Bay Area offers the capacity to scale, manufacture and finance new products and technologies.
You can think of it as a lab-to-market corridor, with innovation rooted in Sheffield and manufacturing and investment centred in the Greater Bay Area.
What was your highlight of the South Yorkshire Trade Mission?
The junk boat tour on Victoria Harbour, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and followed by dinner at Hutong on the first evening, was an absolute joy.
For Sheffield, however, the trip represents more than a series of meetings and site visits. It signals that the city is thinking globally, building meaningful international relationships and positioning itself as a serious player on the international stage.
With a signed MoU, a growing network of international contacts and a clear vision of how South Yorkshire's innovation strengths can complement the Greater Bay Area's manufacturing and financial capabilities, we returned from the trade mission energised and ready to act.
