‘Significant opportunities’ for Liverpool firms in China’s capital
Bill Addy, centre, shows Yu Benlin, Minister for Economic and Commercial Affairs at China’s UK embassy, second from right, the sights from the Mersey Ferry(Image: Adam Kendrick)
A new agreement between Liverpool and Beijing aims to forge deeper business links between China’s capital and firms in Merseyside and the North West.
Liverpool Business Improvement District and Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen business, investment and commercial ties between the two cities. The MoU was signed at the Royal Liver Building during a visit by a senior delegation from Beijing.
The agreement will focus on key sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, culture, tourism and the creative sector and will also see Liverpool collaborate with Beijing’s thriving business district. It will also promote professional, educational and cultural exchanges between the two cities.
Liverpool businesses will get support as they look to move into China, while Beijing firms will get similar support in Liverpool via the city’s BID. Support services will include introductions, market intelligence and delegation programmes.
The delegation to Liverpool included representatives from China’s consulate in Manchester and its embassy in London, as well as from the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, Beijing Central Business District Administration Committee and Beijing’s local investment promotion agencies.
The two-day visit included meetings with local firms and a business roundtable to discuss Beijing-Liverpool collaboration.
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Liverpool has always been an international city, built on trade, innovation and global connections. This Memorandum of Understanding provides an important platform to deepen relationships between Liverpool and Beijing, creating opportunities for businesses, institutions and organisations in both cities.
Yu Benlin, Minister for Economic and Commercial Affairs at China’s London embassy, left, with Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company(Image: Adam Kendrick)
“As one of the world’s leading capital cities, Beijing offers significant opportunities across investment, innovation, culture and commerce. We look forward to working closely with our partners to develop meaningful exchanges and identify areas where Liverpool and Beijing can learn from one another and create shared prosperity.”
Tang Yonghong, deputy director of the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau, said: “This agreement reflects the growing relationship between Beijing and Liverpool and our shared commitment to promoting economic cooperation, business engagement and international exchange. We look forward to working closely with Liverpool BID Company to strengthen links between our respective business communities and to explore new opportunities for collaboration.”