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Welcome to London Update, the newsletter which gives you a round-up of London success stories and news highlights in the ultimate place to do business.
Think London is the foreign direct investment agency for London. We connect international businesses to London, helping them set up, succeed and grow. Our service is completely free, comprehensive and confidential.
To find out more about how Think London can help your business, please visit www.thinklondon.com
April 2006
Think London in China
London targets China for jobs and investment – Think London opens Beijing office
Think London has opened its first office in China (Beijing) as part of a growing international campaign to attract additional foreign investment to London. Michael Charlton, Chief Executive, Think London, joined a delegation to China on 10th April led by London’s Mayor Ken Livingstone. The move reflects the growing importance of China to London’s economy and demonstrates the determination of Think London to target the boards of potential foreign investors with support and advice earlier in their decision-making.
The new Beijing office is headed up by Hu Shengli who will be working with Chinese companies to help them unlock London’s business opportunities. Contact Mr Hu in Beijing on +86 10 8561 1467 or email vhu@thinklondon.com
Think London has launched a new Chinese language web-microsite to support all China activity. Please click here to view.
London Mayor signs agreements in China to promote the capital
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, and Wang Qishan, the Mayor of Beijing, have signed an agreement in the Chinese capital to promote their cities together. The agreement reflects the joint commitment of the two Mayors to work together to encourage tourism, business links, trade links, educational exchanges and cultural relations between the two capitals. While in China, Mr Livingstone officially opened 2 new offices in Beijing and Shanghai and also met with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng to sign a friendship agreement between London and Shanghai.
Featured investors of the month
Think London attracts major Chinese investors to the capital
With the assistance of foreign direct investment agency Think London, two major Chinese investors have announced this month that they are opening European headquarters in the capital. CNOOC Limited, China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas, and Mindray, a leading medical device designer and manufacturer, both recognised that London offers the expertise and position conducive to success.
Lights on London
Lights, Camera, London
London is experiencing a film-making boom as producers come in record numbers to shoot their movies in the capital. In the past 12 months productions including V For Vendetta, starring Natalie Portman, Basic Instinct 2 with Sharon Stone and The Da Vinci Code with Tom Hanks have been filmed in London.
Green London
London looks to the east for inspiration to cut emissions
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced plans for a new zero carbon development in London. The development, which is likely to be situated in the Thames Gateway, east London, will demonstrate that major developments can be designed to exemplary sustainable standards – achieving very low carbon emissions. The project which stems from a proposal from Greenpeace, will be taken forward by the London Development Agency, the Mayor’s regeneration and skills body.
London Climate Change agency
The London Climate Change agency has selected EDF Energy as the preferred bidder to set up a company whose remit is to develop sustainable energy schemes for London. The company will tackle climate change by developing local sustainable energy solutions and identifying and developing sites across the capital where investment in sustainable energy technology would reduce gas emissions.
2012 update
Coe welcomes Olympic green light
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe hailed the Olympic Bill becoming law, just nine months after the Olympic and Paralympic Games were awarded to London. The new Act enables the organisers to begin building the venues and improve the transport infrastructure. Coe said: “This is very welcome news and a tribute to the spirit of cross-party co-operation.”
Pledge as work starts at Olympic Park site
The first work to transform east London into an Olympic venue has begun as the head of the organisation responsible for the development, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), pledged to maximise private sector involvement. Building work on the Lower Lea Valley site in east London will transform the area into a 500-acre Olympic Park.
Connecting business to London
London magnet for talent
The City of London will become an even stronger magnet for talent from both the US and Eastern Europe over the next decade as it cements its reputation as the ‘cosmopolitan capital of commerce’, a new in-depth study claims.
London’s AIM is the new Nasdaq for US firms
London’s junior stock market, the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), has become the new Nasdaq for many US companies that want a stock market listing, according to research by UK independent investment bank Close Brothers. “We are increasingly approached by US companies seeking to investigate an AIM IPO (initial public offering),†said Gareth Healy, Director Close Brothers.
New London service matches busy business people with suppliers
On 18th May SpeedPitches, a new ‘business-connecting’ company, will be holding its first event in Blackfriars, central London. Drawing from the social aspects of speed dating, the SpeedPitches events match clients looking for services with potential suppliers and enable them to meet each other. Attendees have the opportunity to meet up to 30 potential suppliers with each event focusing on a particular industry.
Up-coming events
Think London regularly travel overseas to meet with companies interested in setting up business in London. Click here to see when we will be visiting your area.
To view a list of up-coming business events in London, please click here
Contact us to find out more about how we can help your business succeed in London. Think London gives you fast-track access to the information, expertise and contacts you can rely on.
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