LEADING businesses and universities across Yorkshire are hoping to benefit from the first Chinese trade visit from the Zhejiang province.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is entertaining the delegation this week.

It follows the establishment of formal links between region and the Zhejiang province in July.

Six businessmen and six politicians from China will be hoping to strengthen the partnership between the two regions.

A number of Chinese companies are keen to invest in the region which could open the door to a £50bn market for Yorkshire and Humber's businesses.

Yorkshire Forward chairman Graham Hall has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with governor of Zhejiang, Chai Songyue. The first visit by the Chinese businessmen is a direct result of the agreement.

Eight trade missions have been undertaken to Zhejiang but this is the first in the opposite direction.

"Zhejiang has the fourth highest GDP in China and has been selected for its industrial match with Yorkshire and Humber.

"Exports to China are now worth £97m to the region and we aim to boost the total by 30 per cent over the next three years," said Mr Hall.