German delegation cements trade and cultural links with Liverpool

A high level delegation from the German city state of Hamburg has visited the Liverpool City Region, with a focus on trade, culture, tourism, innovation and life sciences.

The visit built on existing links between the city region and Hamburg, which has an urban population of around 2.5 million people.

It followed a fact-finding mission led by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram last year, aimed at gaining a stronger foothold in the UK’s second biggest export market.

Policy experts attended presentations and networking events designed to showcase the city region’s visitor economy, cutting-edge research, scientific innovation and high-tech businesses.

The delegation also visited Sci-Tech Daresbury, universities and the award winning Beatles Story Museum.

Further talks took place around promoting shared links to the Beatles, who cut their teeth as a band in Hamburg before going on to achieve worldwide fame.

Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Region, said: “This visit will cement our partnership, promote and deliver joint projects with real and tangible benefits for our two cities, in areas as diverse as tourism, health and life sciences, academic collaborations and, of course, the Beatles.”

Last year’s mayoral mission to Hamburg strengthened trade and investment ties, linking German businesses and trade associations with the Liverpool City Region.

The Hamburg delegation looked to build on this work with another similarly packed schedule of meetings and networking events.

Discussions took place with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University aimed at maximising international co-operation.

A tour of Sci-Tech Daresbury, the North of England’s only national science and innovation campus, explored the potential for collaboration with the Northern Germany life science hotspot, Life Sciences Nord.

There was also a presentation by the city region’s pioneering new visitor economy partnership which was set up this year to develop the visitor economy via strategic partnerships and marketing initiatives.

Talks also took place around the city region potentially joining Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstag festival, a huge international maritime event which this year celebrated the port’s 835th birthday.