Organisations from the Liverpool city region will embark on a trade delegation to China this weekend in a drive to build international business links.
Companies from the marketing, property and technology sectors, as well as representatives from academia and Chambers of Commerce, are taking part in a two-week trade visit organised by the city region’s inward investment agency, Invest Liverpool. The trip will see them travel more than 15,000 miles and visit six cities
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson (above) and Wirral Council Leader Councillor Phil Davies will jointly lead the delegation, which aims to strengthen international relations and explore business and investment opportunities.
This 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. It also reflects a new city region-wide approach to inward investment, being spearheaded by Invest Liverpool.
The trip will see the 20-strong group visiting six regions of China over a two week period, beginning with three days in Kunming, Yunnan province, in South West China. The itinerary will also take in Chonqing, Tianjin, Beijing, Qingdao and Shanghai.
Relations with Kunming were strengthened when businesses and government officials from the 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.
Mayor Joe Anderson 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.”
Ellen Cutler, director of Invest Liverpool, added: “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.”
