Delegates discuss hopes of Prestwick flights

A Prestwick flight to China – that is just one of the ideas been riased during a visit from a Chinese city’s delegation to South Ayrshire.

Entrepreneurs flocked to the Fairfield Hotel in Ayr to hear from Far East business leaders about trade and education opportunities.

Struan Johnston, of Stirling Aviation Services, said China could become a flight destination from Prestwick Airport.

He said: “Prestwick is a deeply underused facility. And China is the biggest market on the planet.”

The Chinese visitors hail from the city of Liaocheng in the western Shandong province of the country.

Company chairman Gao Xianwu said: “Ayr is very beautiful and the people are extremely friendly.”

The Shandong Pacific Optics Fiber and Cable chairman said he is impressed with the area’s hi- tech and aerospace industry as well as education.

He said: “I can see lots of collaboration between the two areas in the future.”

He mentioned student exchange between universities as a strong possibility.

Company director Fiona Wedgeworth, of Ayr, is planning to establish a new base for her firm Tyrewise in the town on top of units in Irvine and Saltcoats.

She wants to explore importing tyres from China.

She said: “This is a good opportunity to meet people from other parts of the world. It has huge potential as manufacturing is massive in China.”

Consultant Jim Nathaniel, of Ayr, who is chairman of I AM SOLAR said the renewables firm is interested in opening an office in China.

He said: “We wish to cross fertilise with China and other countries.”

I AM SOLAR founder Dr Paul Dougan said he wants to explore China’s use of solar to power industry.

Depute council leader Labour’s Brian McGinley, who also attended the business networking event, said: “I think this is a great opportunity for the people of South Ayrshire.”

This city of Liaocheng in China has become a sister region to South Ayrshire as a result of the visit.