BLOG | Sowing the seeds for future investment, collaboration and economic growth

Key representatives from the Liverpool City Region are currently on a trade mission to the United States. Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, outlines why the visit is vital for the city’s future economic success...

One of Liverpool’s key strengths is that, thanks to our maritime, music and sporting heritage, we are known around the world.

No matter whether you are in Boston, or Botswana, mentioning the city’s name means instant recognition – usually linked to our history as a place of emigration, the city that gave birth to The Beatles, and is home to two Premiership football clubs.

It is a useful ‘foot in the door’ when you want to have conversations with the right people about driving trade and investment.

That is why I am delighted that ‘Team Liverpool’ are currently on a high-level mission to the United States aimed at driving tens of millions of pounds of long-term investment, trade and tourism to the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool has a rich shared history with the United States and was the exit port for millions of people emigrating to America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The delegation includes senior representatives from the city region’s Health and Life Sciences sector, including the University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast, as well as leaders from our hugely successful cultural, museums and events sectors.

They are taking part in a packed schedule of meetings with civic and business leaders aimed at promoting our city region as a place that is ready to do investment deals, and is a must-visit destination for tourists.

The United States is already the Liverpool City Region’s largest export market worth £1.8bn a year.

Total trade between the city region and the US is worth £2.5bn, and Liverpool is the UK’s largest western-facing port, handling 45% of the UK’s trade from the US.

But we believe there are huge opportunities to do more.

The trade mission is all about sowing the seeds for future investment, collaboration and economic growth.

We know our city is a great place to live, work and visit – but it is vital that, in an increasingly competitive world, we do all we can to spread that message around the globe.