Rye shares link withglobal superpower

What does the Rye area have in common with global superpower China?
Sarah owen in ChinaSarah owen in China
Sarah owen in China

Both are world-leaders in High Vacuum Technology, as Sarah Owen found out on a trip to China’s biggest trade and technology district earlier this month.

Sarah, who is the Labour candidate for Rye MP, was already familiar with the cluster of businesses in the 1066 area that are at the cutting edge of this fast-growing industry after she spent the day with them at September’s Tec66 Conference and Exhibition.

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Her visit this month to the high-tech areas of Guangdong province, at the same time as the Prime Minister’s visit to China, revealed just how much we have in common and forged trade and technology links between one of the fastest growing areas on the planet and the Rye area.

She said: “People across Rye and Rother are crying out for high quality jobs.

“From meeting heads of industry, research and development specialists, it is clear that we can learn from an area that has seen 8.5% growth in GDP, but also that we have a lot to offer in terms of skills and experience – In an ever increasing globally competitive market, it is crucial to take Rother’s need for jobs and growth to an international level.”

Sarah is hoping her trade mission will pave the way for a delegation from China to visit this area in 2014.

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Sarah said: “I am very proud to come from Rye and Hastings because it has a lot to offer not just the UK, but the world.

“I wanted to meet the technology giants in China to show them what our area has to offer in terms of high skilled manufacturing, such as our High Vacuum Technology businesses.

“The Tec66 business fair back in September was a huge success, showcasing the local companies on our industrial estates in Rye Harbour and Hastings, which are regional and international champions in this tech industry. Rye and the surrounding areas are established as a global centre for high technology companies.”