Energy company Mengtai Group plans to build a new whisky distillery in Inner Mongolia, China, through a collaboration with Scottish suppliers.
According to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), construction of the facility in Ordos will be worth more than £3 million to suppliers in Scotland.
David Valentine, owner of Valentine International, has agreed a six-figure contract to manage the design and build of the whisky distillery on behalf of the Mengtai Group.
Valentine said at least two other Scottish whisky equipment companies are in the final stages coming on board with the project.
The deal follows a series of SCC-led events that welcomed business groups from Inner Mongolia to Scotland.
“Working in partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to forge this relationship in Inner Mongolia was instrumental in bringing this opportunity to fruition,” said Valentine, who specialises in establishing commercial ventures in China.
“The project will deliver a multi-million-pound export bonus for at least two other Scottish companies, still to be contracted, for the design and build of the distillery production equipment and for the supply of bulk whiskies.
“As the project progresses there will be further opportunities for skilled industry experts to oversee the operation during the initial phases of the development.’’
Ao FengTing, chairman of Mengtai, added: “My ambition is not just to produce China’s best quality whisky but one that is globally recognised in terms of world rankings. Scotland is the ‘home of whisky’ and has the greatest expertise in terms of distillery equipment manufacture and know-how. So, we are confident that Valentine International will deliver a world-beating project for us in Ordos.”
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