LONDON - Britain's North West tops a list for the number of regional businesses trading with China, new figures from the official export agency United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI) revealed on Tuesday.

The figures show the region, with a population of 7.5 million, leads the way in terms of exporter numbers to China, rising 11 percent to around 700 in the past year. The North West was the only British region to report a double digit growth.

UKTI, aiming to build on the recent upturn in the number of North West businesses trading in China, have organised an 11-day trade mission to Chengdu, Wuhan and Hong Kong this October.

Philomena Chen, head of Asia Pacific business for UKTI North West said: "This trade mission is an excellent opportunity for the region's businesses to make the most of their potential in Asian markets."

The North West Region of England, once described as the engine room of British manufacturing industry, takes in the big cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

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