This week's Community Column is written by Argyll and Bute's Westminster MP, Brendan O'Hara.

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ANYONE who has spent more than five minutes in my company will tell you that my overriding priority as your MP – indeed some may call it my obsession – is the economic regeneration of Argyll and Bute.

I know we have a great story to tell and that we have fabulous products to sell to the world and I’m on record as saying that I will work with anyone and everyone in order to promote Argyll and Bute as a great place to live, work, raise a family, and invest.

In order to stem the flow of young, ambitious people out of this constituency, we need to be able grow economically sustainable communities right across Argyll and Bute, from Cardross to Coll.

I’m delighted, therefore, to see that the public and private sectors are now working closely together on some fantastic projects which, if they come off could prove transformational for the people of the area.

Very early on in my first term I became involved in the all-party Parliamentary group on China. I went along to see what opportunities there might be for Argyll and Bute companies to access the vast Chinese market and also to give Chinese companies the chance to explore investment opportunities in this constituency.

Whether in food and drink, life science or aquaculture, I believe we have an abundance of high quality products, ideal for exporting into the Far East.

But rather than having to get our businesses down to London, I’ve been working on bringing Chinese business to Argyll and Bute.

As a result, and in conjunction with Argyll Enterprise Week, I will be hosting two China Business Summits; the first in the Corran Halls, Oban on November 8, and then in the Campbeltown Town Hall on November 9.

Present at these events will be The China British Business Council, the Bank of China, Scottish Development International, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Argyll & Bute Business Gateway.

The purpose of these seminars will be to persuade our businesses that exporting to China need not be a frighteningly complex thing to do, and finding the funds to do it needn’t be hugely problematic.

Basically, if you have the idea and the product, they’ll put the structures in place to make it happen.

So if you think your business could benefit from these workshop sessions, please consider this to be your invitation.

For more information or to confirm your attendance, go to the Argyll Enterprise Week 2017 site at Eventbrite or call me on (01436) 670587.