AFP, London :
Business and political leaders will be among the 30,000 delegates expected at an “International Festival of Business” in Britain in June that will begin shortly before a crucial EU referendum. The gathering in Liverpool in northwest England “will be the world’s largest business showcase,” IFB chairman Max Steinberg said Friday at a presentation in London’s Canary Wharf business district.
The conference starts on June 13 and ends on July 1, while Britons on June 23 vote to decide whether or not their country should remain in the European Union. The campaign has divided the business community, although surveys indicate a majority of British companies would support a “Remain” vote. Some small businesses have said they will back a “Leave” vote in order to cut down on EU red tape. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for making deals and boosting world business,” IFB director Ian McCarthy, who is co-organising the event with Britain’s official export promotion agency, told AFP.
Some œ300 million (386 million euros, $429 million) in contracts were signed at the first International Festival of Business in 2014, when 3,350 firms signed deals, and organisers are hoping for more this year.
Business and political leaders will be among the 30,000 delegates expected at an “International Festival of Business” in Britain in June that will begin shortly before a crucial EU referendum. The gathering in Liverpool in northwest England “will be the world’s largest business showcase,” IFB chairman Max Steinberg said Friday at a presentation in London’s Canary Wharf business district.
The conference starts on June 13 and ends on July 1, while Britons on June 23 vote to decide whether or not their country should remain in the European Union. The campaign has divided the business community, although surveys indicate a majority of British companies would support a “Remain” vote. Some small businesses have said they will back a “Leave” vote in order to cut down on EU red tape. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for making deals and boosting world business,” IFB director Ian McCarthy, who is co-organising the event with Britain’s official export promotion agency, told AFP.
Some œ300 million (386 million euros, $429 million) in contracts were signed at the first International Festival of Business in 2014, when 3,350 firms signed deals, and organisers are hoping for more this year.
