Mayor and council leader in mission to China
LIVERPOOL Mayor Joe Anderson and Wirral Council leader Cllr Phil Davies are to lead a delegation of city region businesses to South West China to strengthen international relations and explore business and investment opportunities.
It is the first time the two leaders have made a joint international visit and the delegation marks a renewed focus on developing links with China.
Two week-long trips will take place to Tianjin and South West China, Qingdao and Shanghai, with Assistant Mayor of Liverpool and Mayoral Lead for Business and International Trade, Councillor Gary Millar, leading the second visit.
The visits are being coordinated by Invest Liverpool and will offer businesses the chance to explore and develop business and investment opportunities and promote Liverpool City Region as a viable location for Chinese investment.
Liverpool Mayor, and chair of the City Region Combined Authority, Anderson, said: “Liverpool City Region’s relationship with key Chinese cities like Kunming and Guiyang is flourishing and we’re looking forward to deepening these links during this important visit and showcasing the business opportunities available.
“It’s great to be joined by Phil Davies on this journey, we’re very committed to working together and securing the best results for the city region as a whole and look forward to having a very productive visit.”
Davies said: “The city region is a great proposition for international investors and we have a fantastic visit itinerary lined up for participating companies which should enable them to build on and strengthen existing relationships, develop new contacts and open up potential markets.
“We’re focused on developing new opportunities for investment to flow both ways and to capitalise on the synergies that exist between businesses in Merseyside and China. We are also looking forward to visiting our sister city Taicang during the trip.”
The first delegation will visit South West China and Tianjin from October 22 to October 29, and will be led by Anderson and Davies.
This will build on Liverpool’s relationships in South West China and Tianjin and will be of specific interest to businesses and institutions engaged in creative, digital and IT; healthcare; tourism and culture; and urban development and planning.
The group will visit Kunming, the Capital of Yunnan Province, which signed a Friendship Partnership Agreement with Liverpool earlier this year. The visit will also encompass business meetings and networking opportunities in other cities in the region.
