NEVER mind the slow boat, Worcestershire engineering firms have been warned that they could miss the fast boat to China.

Representatives of MOFCOM, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, have been in the West Midlands to view the spring fair at the NEC in Birmingham and they're urging engineering companies that they might be missing out on vital trade links with the east.

The major China International Auto Parts Expo Show in Bejing in November 2007 attracted firms from 70 countries, but representation from the UK was surprisingly low.

Mark Eaton, of the UK Trade and Investment Team China Unit, fears that many UK companies are still worried about taking a real step into the Chinese market.

"There is no question that there has been a shift in the market recently," he said. "China is far more outward looking than it was just a few years ago, and as a result trade is a two-way process. There are, for example, 80 Chinese brands represented at the spring fair.

"Chinese automotive companies recognise that, with the rate of growth in their economy, they need a supply chain which can not only supply components but also expertise and that is something we have in abundance in this region.

"The big difference now is that a lot of these companies have the cash to invest into western partners..

"Other Western companies such as Bosch, General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen were co-organisers of last year's event but there was a feeling that maybe UK companies were not taking full advantage of the opportunity.

"It would be a crying shame if West Midlands companies missed the boat and let a good opportunity slip."