The team behind the Circuit of Wales proposal for Gwent are taking part in a trade mission to Chinas with the Welsh Government this week.

They will be visiting Chongqing while other businesses will be in Chengdu and Shanghai.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said the visit builds on the growing business, cultural and educational links between Wales and China.

Mrs Hart said:” This trade mission follows on from the highly successful visit in March this year when universities and businesses benefited from the raised profile of Wales as it coincided with Wales Week 2013 in Chongqing.

“ We already have agreements with the Municipal Governments of Beijing and Chongqing and the visit to Chongqing, Chengdu and Shanghai coincides with a number of trade events and provides a range of opportunities across our key sectors.

“This autumn programme is designed to offer flexibility for participating companies that can join the itinerary at any stage and elect to visit one or all destinations. Through our trade support programme and network of offices in China, the Welsh Government is supporting companies in researching the Chinese market and arranging meetings with potential business partners.”

Chongqing, regarded as the gateway to western China, is a rapidly expanding metropolis and home to 31million people. It is one of the commercial centres of interior china where more than 5000 foreign companies are located.

The visit to Chongqing coincides with the fifth Chongqing Services Trade Summit (October 30 and 31) which attracts more than 5,000 Chinese and international delegates with the aim of developing service trade.

Complementing this international event the Welsh Government Chongqing office has organised the Wales-Chongqing Service Trade Roadshow in conjunction with Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission (COFTEC) providing an opportunity for Welsh businesses to meet local companies to develop trade links.

The Circuit of Wales proposal is to create a world-class automotive cluster, centred around a performance circuit designed to host international motor sport events. The Heads of the Valleys Development Company was established to design, build, ?nance and operate the Circuit of Wales.

The other businesses and organisations involved in the Chongging visit include PDR, Kaimai Research, and three Welsh universities.

The trade mission will be in Chengdu from October 31 to November 3 and Shanghai from November 3 to 8.