A NOTTINGHAM firm is taking the latest in multi-lingual internet marketing techniques to Chinese businesses seeking to export to Britain and Europe.

Lace Market-based global online marketing company Metafocus was one of 16 businesses from the East Midlands to visit Shangai and Ningbo – the location of the University of Nottingham's new campus in China – to promote the best of Nottingham to Chinese businesses.

They represented the city's strongest sectors and some of its best hopes for building wealth and jobs in Nottingham, according to the city council.

The authority is actively striving to spread the success of a Nottingham company which is bucking the current economic trend by winning orders and expanding its business in China.

It is seeking to build on the success of a visit organised by the East Midlands China Business Bureau.

Metafocus designs websites specialising in making sure they are at the top of a Google search in whatever country or language the search engine is used in Europe.

Alan Clements, managing director of Metafocus, has made four trips to China. He recently made a pitch to more than 200 businesses in Ningbo.

Interest in and demand for Metafocus's services was considerable.

Mr Clements presented an export online marketing workshop for a specially invited business audience.

He has visited China for almost 30 years, seeing immense business opportunity for UK companies.

"Entering the market can be difficult because of language and cultural differences but is made much easier on the back of Nottingham's well-established relationship with China.

"Both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham City Council are making it so much easier for local businesses to break into the lucrative Chinese market, especially by having a Nottingham Business Development Office located on the Ningbo University campus."

Deputy leader Coun Graham Chapman, recently visited Metafocus to see how the council could continue their support.

He said: "I am delighted that Nottingham companies are now beginning to win orders because of the unique and now well established relationship we have built with Ningbo, and wider Zheijiang province of China.

"We will be doing a lot more in the year ahead, including a market visit in association with the Nottingham Forest summer tour of China. It is a very exciting time for Nottingham and its links with China."