In 2009 NICG was invited to sign a landmark agreement with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the PRC. The aim of the agreement is to create new deep links between UK and Chinese cities and brings together the influence of the top Chinese Ministry and the business skills of NICG in the UK and China. The concept is to integrate government leadership and private enterprise to stimulate a broad range of developments between cities in the UK and China. Mr. Zhang Xiaochong, Director General of the International Cooperation Center (ICC) , The National Development and Reform Commission signed on behalf of ICC – NDRC. Mr. Guo Lei, CEO of Newland International Communications Group, signed for NICG. The signing was witnessed by H.E. Sir William Ehrman, British Ambassador to China. ICC - NDRC has a long-term commitment in promoting cooperation in economic, trade and culture between local governments and enterprises in China and governments and enterprises in foreign countries. NICG has skills and experience to provide links between Chinese and UK cities through its investment and business consulting services in the fields of energy and environmental protection, technology trade, financial services, culture and creative industries, and education and training. NICG has a proven track record enabling Chinese enterprises, provinces and cities in implementing their “going out” global strategy and attracting foreign investment policies in the Chinese market; its support of clients to gain deeper knowledge of the British market and European culture in high-end tourism; its wide contact and cooperation with the political and business communities in the UK and other parts of Europe, and its extensive political, business and media resources. In China NICG has strong links with the leading cities of China through its network of 16 offices. ICC – NDRC and NICG have called the initiative the “UK City to China City Economic and Development Link Project”.
