Well, the Trade Mission has started well with some good positive news from companies about winning business here and that's always good to hear. Last night we launched the new Manchester Malaysia Business Club and had a great turnout. Membership is by invitation only but is focused on getting businesses to share opportunities and to promote the benefits of locating in the economic powerhouse of Manchester. Judging by the quality of conversation last night it looks like being a great success.
I've had a host of meetings with business organisations, all helpful and all trying to promote and support trade between the two countries. I've just finished a meeting at the State Bank to discuss Islamic banking. Malaysia leads the way here and I will be talking to financial institutions in the North West about the significant opportunities there are in this field.
I've been particularly impressed by the prospects that exist in the education sector. There are 12,000 Malaysian students at British universities but - and this is exciting - over 50,000 students on British university courses but studyng here in Malaysia. Nottingham University has built a full campus outside of KL and Newcastle University is building a medical school and Southampton University an engineering school, both in Johor. Marlborough Independent School is also building an international school here. With our close cultural and historic links, the value of a British education is extremely high and surely more academic institutions need to look at this potentially very lucrative opportunity.