Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Wirral council leader Phil Davies have taken off on a fast plane to China.
The pair are leading a trade mission to the Orient, which will see them travel more than 15,000 miles and visit six Chinese cities in a drive to build international business links.
It is the first time the two political leaders have made a joint international visit and the delegation marks a renewed focus on developing links with China. Officials say it also reflects a new city region-wide approach to inward investment, being spearheaded by Invest Liverpool
Companies from the marketing, property and technology sectors, as well as representatives from academia and chambers of commerce, are also taking part in a two-week trade visit organised by the city region’s inward investment agency, Invest Liverpool.
The aim is to strengthen international relations and explore business and investment opportunities.
The trip will see the 20-strong group beginning their tour with three days in Kunming, Yunnan province, in south west China.
The itinerary will also take in Chongqing, also in south west China, the port city of Tianjin, China’s capital Beijing, Qingdao and Liverpool’s “twin” city Shanghai, population 14.3 million.
A Chinese delegation with Gary MillarRelations with Kunming were said to be strengthened when businesses and government officials from the prefecture city sent a delegation to Liverpool during the International Festival for Business 2016, staging an exhibition of Yunnan culture in Liverpool ONE. That delegation was one of a number from China, including Hong Kong and Chengdu, which attended the festival.
“The trip is being coordinated by Invest Liverpool and offers businesses the chance to explore and develop business and investment opportunities and promote Liverpool City Region as a viable location for Chinese investment,” said a spokesman for the agency.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, who is also chairman of the City Region Combined Authority, said: “What is really important about this trip is that the city region is coming together in its efforts to build new trade links and seek inward investment.
“Our relationships with Chinese businesses are flourishing and it makes absolute sense that we market the entire city region to achieve maximum impact and the best results.”
Wirral Council Leader Phil Davies added: “The city region is a great proposition for international investors. I am delighted Wirral businesses are joining the delegation and we especially look forward to reconnecting with business and government contacts in Tianjin, where we have established good investment connections.
“The delegation is being offered plenty of opportunities to build and strengthen existing relationships, develop new contacts and open up potential markets for business investment in the Liverpool city region.”
Ellen Cutler, director of Invest Liverpool, said: “There are clear opportunities for Liverpool city region businesses to build new markets, win investment and acquire new clients by engaging with China. Chinese businesses are actively seeking UK partners across a range of sectors, including technology, property, digital and healthcare.
“The Liverpool brand continues to have real cut-through in China because of its exceptional cultural assets and also because of the very strong cultural and business links we have fostered over the last decade.
“Projects such as the World Expo in Shanghai, when Liverpool was the only UK city to have a dedicated pavilion, and the University of Liverpool’s joint venture XJTLU campus near Shanghai, have delivered massive benefits for us in raising the profile of the region.”
