A Kirklees-based consultancy specialising in helping companies develop their business with China has opened an office in Shanghai.

ConnectChina Ltd, which has its headquarters at Batley Business Park, has been helping companies to develop trade and investment opportunities with China since 2004.

Managing director Joanna Lavan said opening the Shanghai office underscored ConnectChina’s commitment to supporting its clients in this high growth market.

“The Shanghai office is the culmination of many years of experience of working in China” said Joanna. “Opening an office in Shanghai gives us the ability to work more closely with our current and future customers to provide them with even better support and to help them to develop their business in China to an even higher level.”

The new office is located in the business district in Puxi and has a team of bilingual staff, led by Qiongya Pan, who is experienced in both international trade and business.

ConnectChina used the Shanghai Free Trade Zone to register ConnectChina Shanghai, which makes the process of setting up a company in China much faster and cheaper than in the past.

The company is drawing on its own experience to add its QuickStartChina package to its range of services, which will help companies looking to set up in China with both the registration process and provide an office space for them.

ConnectChina’s services encompass help for firms wanting to do business with China for the first time, those wanting to source products from China, companies seeking to set up a presence or start-up in the country as well as staffing and trade visits.