by Jo James, chief executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

At last some good news from the Government.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced that he was going to streamline and simplify the visa process for Chinese visitors to the UK.

At present, if they want to do a European trip they can apply for a visa, but then have to apply for a separate one to travel to the UK. This certainly doesn’t give out the message that we are open to trade and tourism. So well done Mr Osborne, sense has at last prevailed.

This is good news for us in Kent, from a tourism and trade perspective.

Many of our businesses are already trading in China and the simpler it can be made the more likely two-way trade will develop. It is thought all the extra paperwork is deterring Chinese visitors from including the UK in a trip to Europe.

Last year, more than 200,000 visas were issued to visiting Chinese nationals who went on to contribute around £300 million to the national economy.

Simplifying the system will certainly make the UK a more attractive destination.

Once the Chinese have made the decision to come to the UK, or have arrived here, it’s up to Kent to ensure that they know what a great county we have and what’s on offer.

From a business perspective, visa-related red tape regularly frustrates efforts to conduct trade with China.

The Chamber - along with many other private and public sector organisations in the county - have been chipping away for some time at encouraging Kent businesses to look at the trading opportunities in China and encouraging Chinese business to look at opportunities here,

So again, thank you Mr Osborne.

And while you’re about it, please continue to work on the other unnecessary pieces of red tape that hinder business growth.