The firm said it has set up the office to meet demand from local and foreign clients who have headquarters in the city. Interest generated by the current Shanghai Expo has created many new commercial opportunities, the company said.

B2B’s business development manager for Asia, Mark Hedley, said: “The addition of a Shanghai office to complement our existing Beijing operation extends our fieldwork coverage across the country and enables our consultants to better meet the needs of companies interested in China’s potential.”

The agency’s Beijing office has been open since 2006.