Liverpool leaders welcome IFB launch
THE International Festival for Business, which is now underway, is offering more than 1,000 live business opportunities with an estimated value of over £1.7bn.
Starting with UKTI’s British Business Embassy event, the Festival will comprise more than 250 high value business events and more than 70 cultural events running for the next 50 days across Liverpool and the North West.
The event aims to help contribute to doubling British exports to £1 trillion by 2020, and generating more than £100m of foreign investment for the UK over the next five years.
The Liverpool economy will receive a major boost too, not only with international profile. Each day visitor to IFB2014 is worth £54, while those staying overnight will contribute around £271.
Beginning at St George’s Hall with the British Business Embassy, delegates will hear from prominent business figures including Lord Livingston, Minister of State for Trade and Investment; Sir Terry Leahy; Jim O’Neill, Chairman, Cities Growth Commission; Lord Heseltine; Ron Dennis CBE, Chairman, McLaren; and Ana Botin, CEO, Santander UK.
Joe Anderson OBE, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “IFB2014 is finally upon us and I couldn’t be more excited with the outlook and prospects ahead of us and the amount of people who will be visiting the city.
“The aim of the Festival was to create the biggest business gathering of 2014 in the UK, bringing the opportunities directly to our shores and our businesses.
“With Britain’s economic growth making headlines around the world, IFB2014 presents us with a fantastic opportunity to encourage and support the businesses within our borders to continue fueling growth.
Max Steinberg CBE, chairman of IFB2014, said: “IFB2014 will put the North West, the UK and indeed Liverpool firmly on the map as a great place to do business.
“The calibre of events, speakers and locations reflects the greatness of British industry and business and I look forward to witnessing first-hand the wealth of opportunities that the Festival will present.”
