Deputy Mayor flies London flag at Shanghai World Expo

The Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, has arrived at the Shanghai World Expo with a packed itinerary to promote London as the world’s best big city in which to invest, study and visit. He will be forging links with key investors and business partners from creative, financial and green sectors to secure long-term investment into the capital.

Today marks the start of London Week at the Shanghai World Expo, which is organised by the London Development Agency (LDA). Speaking at the opening of London Week, and throughout his stay, the Deputy Mayor's message will be that the city is open for business and emerging strongly from the economic downturn as a highly competitive business centre to trade with and invest in. 

Today he met with Al Baojun, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, to share experiences of the economic and environmental challenges facing London and Shanghai and the legacy lessons emerging from staging the 2010 World Expo and the 2012 Games.

Richard Barnes will join the LDA and Think London, London's inward investment agency, at business events to maximise the multitude of opportunities for Chinese businesses and investors. Figures released today by Think London show that London based Chinese companies increased the number of jobs they support in the capital by a huge 95 per cent increase from 220 to 428, in the last year.

They will also promote London's technical expertise as it emerges as a low carbon capital backed by the creation of the first Green Enterprise District in the east of the city. The visit will be an opportunity to promote London’s efforts in sustainability and the Deputy Mayor will outline the city’s commitment to low-carbon initiatives and highlight how these priorities can benefit Chinese investors.

The Deputy Mayor will also tour the Shanghai World Expo Park to pick up tips about staging major international events, and what London can learn from China ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Richard Barnes, the Statutory Deputy Mayor of London, said:

"As the global economy begins to emerge from one of the worst downturns in living memory, we are working hard to ensure that London maintains its pre-eminence as a place to do business, study in, and as a tourist destination. The millions expected to visit the Shanghai Expo are a fabulous opportunity to showcase what London and the UK have to offer the world.

"We are here to build on the already strong economic and cultural ties between London and Shanghai, as the economic hearts of our respective countries, and as thriving cultural and creative centres.

"The UK's dynamism and creativity are exemplified by the striking pavilion and our goal will be to help drum up potential business opportunities and to persuade Expo visitors and exhibitors to make London their next stop. We have a packed agenda and with two years to go to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will also be picking up tips on staging major international events."