The Isle of Man Government has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Liverpool’s economic development agency, Liverpool Vision, to reinforce the strong relationship between the two locations and endorse the mutual benefits of working together.
The new Memorandum of Understanding follows previous agreements, reinforcing political and civic links to the city that have been developed in recent times through joint interest projects such as ISLEXPO, the International Business Festival and initiatives in China.
Representatives from the Department for Enterprise and businesses from the Isle of Man will be supporting Liverpool Vision and attending the significant 2018 International Business Festival (IBF). IBF 2018 aims to celebrate and support businesses through conferences, seminars and bespoke business brokerage meetings. Running over three weeks from 12-28 June, it is anticipated that 25,000 business visitors will attend and the Department is currently finalising its plans to participate formally in the event to promote the Island and its links to the North West to a high quality UK and international audience.
Representatives from Liverpool Vision will also be attending the Island’s flagship business conference, ISLEXPO 2018. Taking place on the 16 May, ISLEXPO is free to attend with inspiring business content, information about funding, and a focus on networking.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, commented:
‘Liverpool and the North West region is a key strategic partner for the Isle of Man, bringing mutual economic opportunities and shared goals of investment and promotion. Our Isle of Man Programme for Government recognises the importance of engaging, participating and gaining respect internationally. The signing of a new MOU with Liverpool reinforces this ambition and gives us the opportunity to raise awareness of the Isle of Man as a competitive and dynamic place to do business through Liverpool’s flagship International Business Festival.
‘As an Island we continue to invest in and support businesses at all stages of growth, as well as attract new enterprise. Our support for Liverpool Vision and planned participation in the International Business Festival allows us to develop a complementary offering for businesses, binding the expertise and assets of the North West with the skills and talent of the Isle of Man. We have worked together in the past to attract new trade from China and we will continue to collaborate on important initiatives going forward.’
Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said:
‘This MOU underlines the strong partnership between our city and the Isle of Man, economically and culturally. We have a lot of common interests in areas such as maritime, financial services and tourism, as well as long-standing cultural links. I’m delighted that the Isle of Man will again be involved in the International Business Festival when it’s staged here in June 2018.’
Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said:
‘We’ve established a successful relationship with the Isle of Man in recent years, and the renewal of this Memorandum of Understanding further underlines that. The Isle of Man has developed outstanding expertise in maritime, clean tech, e-Business and aviation, which we see as very complementary to Liverpool’s economic strengths.’
To speak to the Department for Enterprise about the Isle of Man presence at IBF 2018, please contact Richard Slee richard.slee@gov.im
