Strong Chinese backing for UK exhibition

TechnologyWorld09, organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), takes place from 23 to 24 November and has resulted in over 20 Chinese companies registering, including a delegation of mobile/wireless technology companies from mainland China and Hong Kong. UKTI chief executive Sir Andrew Cahn, said: "We are in the digital age. The UK is forging the way with companies like ARM, whose chips are in 90% of the world's 4.1trillion mobile phones. British technology is helping China's 1.3billion people get connected but there remains significant potential for collaboration in this increasingly important sector." UKTI is encouraging UK companies to attend TechnologyWorld09 to tap into China's many business opportunities, such as its growing mobile communications sector – with 703million mobile phones representing only 52% of its population. According to UKTI, China has issued 3G licences, which could result in $41bn on 3G deployment in 2009 and 2010 alone. Alastair Morgan, director of Trade and Investment for China, British Embassy said: "The Chinese companies have been carefully chosen because of their market leading position in China as well as their commitment to international partnering and collaboration. We have done this under the Enabling Innovation UK China Partnership in ICT Initiative that aims to raise the reputation and awareness of the UK ICT industry. Working closely with Chinese companies the initiative builds the relationships necessary to introduce qualified UK capabilities across the Chinese value chain." TechnologyWorld09 is a two day event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry designed to give British firms a platform to build international business. Last year, the event generated an estimated £30m in business deals for attending companies.