Scotland to Shanghai: Glasgow Chamber makes connections at the China International Import Expo 2024

By Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce

With International Trade Week upon us, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on our recent trade mission to Shanghai for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

We were delighted to accompany several of our innovative businesses including Craig Rankin from Crafty Distillery , Andrew Macdonald Bennett from Goldfinch Whisky Merchants , Paul Geica from Trump Turnberry , Helen McVey MBA from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland , Andrew Dobbie of MadeBrave and Ryan O'Rorke .? We also continue to support brands and businesses who joined us last year including Rangers Football Club , House of Glenroy Limited , Black Rooster Peri Peri , 126 Water for Whisky - Loch Ness, Scotland and Brave New Spirits Ltd. .

CIIE is one of the world’s largest expos, with over 300,000 registrants this year, and we were fortunate to have our in-market representative, Xiang L. , and a robust partnership with Orient International as our distribution partner in market.

During the event, we welcomed representatives from the The Scottish Government , Scottish Development International , and the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai (BritCham Shanghai) to our branded stand, where they met with our trade delegation. This collaborative approach is vital for helping Scottish businesses make the most of these opportunities and achieve long-term success in international markets.

China is a crucial market for Scotland, ranking as our sixth-largest export destination. Scottish products, renowned for their craftsmanship and innovation, align well with Chinese consumers’ preference for quality. In recent years, exports of Scottish consumer goods to China have grown, and CIIE provides a valuable platform for showcasing these offerings. The expo brings global trade trends to life, enabling Scottish brands to connect with potential Chinese partners and facilitating promising business development opportunities in this dynamic market.

Our work in Shanghai continues beyond the expo. Throughout this year and into the next, we’ll be following up with each of our participating businesses to ensure they can secure positive outcomes with their Chinese partners.

Highlights from our time in Shanghai included B2B meetings, engagements with delegations from other Chinese cities, conversations with the Shanghai Business Confederation and Orient International, and site visits to hotels, academies, and hospitality venues, along with discussions with the CIIE team. We’re excited to build on these interactions in the months to come.

Finally, in light of the importance of international trade for Scottish businesses, we’d like to highlight the British Chambers of Commerce “Driving International Trade” conference on Thursday, 20 March 2025, in Central London. Tailored for C-suite leaders focused on expanding globally, the event will bring together influential business and political stakeholders to explore opportunities in markets such as the U.S., Germany, and India, while also highlighting strategic trade corridors like the Gulf Cooperation Council and Southeast Asia. If you have any questions please contact BCC events team.