PAN1578 - International strategy development - China

With a population of over 300,000, Leicester is the largest city in the East Midlands and the tenth largest in the country. Its central location means it is one of the best connected areas in the UK, with London only an hour away by train.

There are three excellent universities in the area, with 50,000 university students living in the city. The population is rapidly growing, especially amongst the young, and the workforce is highly skilled, culturally diverse and well qualified.

The Inward Investment service at Leicester City Council is responsible for promoting the business benefits of Leicester to a national and international audience, by providing free and confidential packages of advice for location to potential investors. The package of support includes research support, property solutions, networking, recruitment, relocation help, account management and investor development, as well as aftercare support.

The service also supports indigenous businesses to help them overcome barriers to growth in order to safeguard jobs in the city and surrounding area. The strategic objective is to attract inward investment and trade activity to the city and county and to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth - increased and sustained inward investment. Leicester City Council Inward Investment service wishes to invite quotations to procure a suitably qualified consultancy organisation to develop a China strategy to attract Chinese businesses and investment, and encourage trade activity to the area.