Max Steinberg: Chinese investment will spark further interest
Liverpool Vision's chief executive Max Steinberg has said a £25m investment by a Chinese businesswoman in Peel Group's international trade centre scheme can help to unlock further investment from East Asia.
The investment comes as two delegations – one from China and one from the US – are visiting Liverpool this week to explore potential development opportunities and strengthen trade links.
Peel unveiled plans for an international trade centre in March that would enable up to 1,000 companies from China, India, Korea and other emerging economies to exhibit, sell, assemble and distribute their goods into the European market.
The trade centre, the first phase of which has been earmarked for a site in Birkenhead on the banks of the River Mersey, would serve as a trading gateway to Europe.
Earlier this week it was revealed that Stella Shiu, a high-ranking member of the Chinese government and chairman of the Sam Na Minerals company, had invested £25m in the project.
Peel has been actively pursuing Chinese investment for the scheme – and the wider Liverpool and Wirral Waters developments – and the funding marks the first of what it hopes will be a steady stream of foreign investment.
Steinberg said: "It's really good news for Peel, Wirral and the wider city region. Stella Shiu is a high ranking member of the Chinese government and she has said she will bring Chinese people to the area because she is so impressed with it.
"That will undoubtedly have benefits for the region. Visitor numbers from China to Liverpool are up hugely on other years and by getting the trade centre scheme off the ground thousands of jobs will be created in Wirral."
He added that the investment was "another example of the clear benefits" of Liverpool's presence at the World Expo in Shanghai last year, where Peel was headline sponsor of the city's pavilion.
Steinberg also revealed that a Chinese delegation is visiting Liverpool this week – the third since the Expo finished – while another is set to come to the city in June.
Representatives from the US state of Georgia are also in Liverpool this week, marking the first overseas visit for Georgia’s governor Nathan Deal since he took up office in January.
"The Shanghai Real Estate Chamber of Commerce are here this week and it represents more than 100 real estate groups and about 1,000 property companies in Shanghai and the Yangtze Golden Triangle," said Steinberg.
"They’re here to gain to gain knowledge and understanding of the UK property market, build relationships with companies and look for investment opportunities.
"Along with the delegation from Georgia, it proves that Liverpool is increasingly on people's radar."
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