Tuesday 26 February 2008
Lord Mayor of City of London visits Libya, Egypt and
Jordan
Lord Mayor of the City of London David Lewis will lead a
delegation of City leaders on a 10-day visit to Libya, Egypt and
Jordan next month to strengthen business links.
The programme for the high-level visit, which runs from 8 to 17
March 2008 inclusive, is expected to include meetings with Prime
Ministers or Deputy Prime Ministers, Governors of the Central Banks
and Ministers of Trade & Industry and Finance of all three
countries.
Discussions will centre on issues key to the on-going economic
development of the Middle-East and North African region such as
PPP, Shari’ah finance, project finance, professional education and
training and banking regulation.
Lord Mayor Lewis said: “The UK has strong trade links and good
relations with Libya, Egypt and Jordan.
“There are significant investment opportunities in these
countries for UK-based organisations which will be explored during
this visit. As the leading international financial and business
centre, The City has a wealth of expertise and experience on issues
such as infrastructure finance, Shari’ah-compliant products,
regulation and education and training. We look forward to sharing
this knowledge with our counterparts in Egypt, Libya and Jordan to
our mutual benefits.”
Libya: 8-10 March
Planned calls include -
Dr Abdel-Hafiz Zlitni (Deputy Secretary of General People’s
Committee), Dr Ali Abdel-Aziz Isawi (Secretary of Economy, Trade
& Investment), Ali Farhat Omer Bengdara (Governor of the
Central Bank), Mohammed al-Huwaij (Secretary of Finance) and
Mohammed Layas (Executive Director of Libyan Investment
Authority).
Egypt: 11-13 March
Planned calls include –
PM Nazif, Dr Abdel Azim Wazir (Governor of Cairo), Dr Farouk El
Okdah (Governor of Central Bank), Dr Ahmed Saad (Chairman, Capital
Markets Authority), Youssef Boutros Ghali (Minister of Finance), Dr
Rachid Mohamed Rachid (Minister for Trade & Industry).
Jordan: 14-17 March
Planned calls include –
His Majesty King Abdullah II; PM Nader Dahabi Hosni Abu Gheida
(Chief Commissioner, Aqaba Special Economic Zone); HE Amer Al
Hadidi, Minister of Industry & Trade; HE Khaldoun Qteishat,
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources; Umayya Toukan, (Governor
of the Central Bank) and HE Omar Ma'ani (Mayor of Amman), who is
hosting the visit.
The City of London is the world’s leading centre for financial
and business services – an industry that within the UK accounts for
1.3 million jobs and 26% of the corporate tax take.
As its elected head, the Lord Mayor spends around 100 days
abroad, travelling to more than 20 countries as the ambassador for
UK-based international financial services. The former senior
partner of international law firm Norton Rose will also lead City
visits to India, China, Hong Kong and Russia later in the year.
The City of London delegation, which is 20 strong, includes
senior representatives of investment banks, asset managers and law
firms.
Ends
Notes for editors
Key facts on City of London:
- UK financial and business services account for 14.5% of
GDP.
- 32% of the global foreign exchange turnover in London (more
than NYSE and Nasdaq combined).
- 90% of world trade in metals, 23% of world aviation insurance,
25% of all marine insurance, almost 50% of all ship brokering in
London.
- London has the most liquid financial markets and is
internationally-owned, internationally staffed and internationally
managed.
- London is the largest investment banking centre in Europe,
dealing with half of all European investment banking activity. Most
investment banks are headquartered or have a major office in
London.
- 700 foreign companies are listed on the London Stock
Exchange.
- London’s international experience – it has the most foreign
banks of any financial centre – 252 compared to New York’s 228 and
217 in Paris.
The Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor is the annually-elected head of the City of
London Corporation which provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of the UK, and
which is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the
business City as the world's leading international financial and
business centre through its policies and services. It is
responsible for management of the Barbican Centre and Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey. It also runs 10,000 acres of open
space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale
food markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health
Authority.
The Lord Mayor, the City of London, UKTI and HM Treasury work in
partnership to promote UK financial services.
Press enquiries
Lesley Mair, City of London Press Office. T: +44 20 7332 1754 or
+44 7785 528 453 or email
lesley.mair@cityoflondon.gov.uk