Craig Chen has been appointed general manager of the MTA Office and he will be the lead on market intelligence, marketing support, exhibition participation, translation and contract services.

The MTA has had a strong presence in China since the 1990s and its members have been keen to expand trade with this manufacturing powerhouse. According to recent research by Oxford Economics growth in engineering investment goods in China is expected to exceed 8% in the period up to 2020.

Graham Dewhurst, MTA director general, says: “The increased commitment to the MTA China Office marks the next phase in developing our support for UK manufacturing technologies companies doing business in one of the world’s fastest growing markets. I would encourage companies looking to enter the Chinese market or to grow their business in this important country to make full use of the MTA’s China Office.”

Although the export potential for manufacturing technologies based industries is huge the Chinese market can be challenging to enter. Working with the MTA’s China Office, based in Shanghai, can help overcome some of the access issues and provide valuable insight into developing opportunities within this dynamic manufacturing market.

Craig Chen holds a masters degree in engineering and has extensive experience of helping UK manufacturers win business in China. He has been working in China for the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) and has an impressive range of contacts across the country. He will be assisted in the MTA China Office by Event and Administration Manager, Sarah Wang, and Marketing and Commercial Manager, Monica Shi.