London invites international companies to benefit from the Capital's £40 billion growth by 2012

An estimated £4 billion contributor to the London economy is forecast for the capital prior to and during the London 2012 Games. Combine this with the projected £40 billion growth in the London economy over the next four years and it becomes clear that 2012 is just the start of London's growth.

The extensive opportunities for international businesses to help shape the future of London and to reap the benefits beyond 2012 was the key theme for John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Sarah Ebjana, Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director, Strategy, Equalities and Performance, London Development Agency (LDA) and Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport, Diao Chunhe, Chairman of China International Contractors Association at a seminar held jointly by LDA and Cavendish Group for international businesses in Beijing today.

Beijing has reinvented itself for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games with an infrastructure that is better than ever before. With the Olympics coming to London in 2012 it now has the opportunity for a similar transition. The growth of key sectors in London’s economy and that of the capital’s population mean that now more than ever there is a demand for investment in infrastructure.

London has long been a world leader, enjoying an envied reputation as a dynamic and successful global city. The capital has cemented its position as the world's principal financial centre. It is also growing at an extraordinary rate - by 2016 an estimated 800,000 more people will be living in London and its surrounding areas. To accommodate them, and the businesses and public services they will need, an unprecedented programme of regeneration will transform the London landscape.

In the summer of 2012, up to four billion people will have their eyes on London, as the capital plays host to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The estimated £4 billion growth in the economy over the next four years before and during the 2012 Games alone will offer huge opportunities for international companies looking to globalise and invest in London. Investment in the Games has been an excellent way for foreign companies to establish or grow their presence in new international markets.

The Thames Gateway, an area of land stretching 40 miles east from inner London, is the largest regeneration project in Europe and is undergoing major transformation and significant private and public sector investment.

To date the UK government has spent £7 billion in investment in the Gateway with plans to create 160,000 new homes and 180,000 new jobs. The Gateway is home to Canary Wharf a thriving hub of multinational financial and business service companies as well as the site for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Once successfully regenerated, the area alone could contribute an extra £12 billion a year to the UK economy.

In addition to this the new Crossrail scheme which received royal assent in July 2008 will ensure that London maintains its status as a hub of international activity well into the 21st century. The service will significantly increase the capacity of the rail network into and across London, thereby relieving congestion and cutting journey times between key business areas and London Heathrow by up to 40%. Crossrail is expected to attract some 80,000 additional jobs to regeneration areas and is scheduled to be up and running by 2017. The network is estimated to bring GDP benefits of at least £36 billion.

Sarah Ebjana said: "London truly is a world city, occupying a unique position on the world stage. It offers unrivalled access to international markets and talent, and a business environment that facilitates growth. The 2012 Games will act as a major catalyst for redevelopment for London, but it doesn’t stop there - Crossrail will act as a gateway to the UK and provide the transport underpinning for the greatest centres of London’s business. The Thames Gateway is awash with possibilities for businesses looking to invest. All these factors combined means that now more than ever, it is time to come to London."

Diao Chunhe, Chairman of China International Contractors Association, said: "Chinese companies are really looking forward to much more opportunities in London after a successful year of 2007 that China to UK contracting value has reached over £100 million. We believe that 2012 Games will attract high interest from Chinese companies who have done a great job in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and that’s why we are here today."

Notes to editors:

Cavendish Group is a B2B publisher and event organizing company, headquartered in London and has business offices around BRIC countries, focusing on bringing in advanced technology and expertise from developed countries to emerging markets through multi-media channels.

Journalists seeking further information or access to London House should register their interest with Hannah Pawlby or Toby Burnham – working on the LDA's behalf at freud communications. Tel: 0044 7989304422 or 0044 7990555290 or email: Hannah.Pawlby@freud.com and Toby@freud.com.

In order to secure access and membership of the house for corporate use contact Susi Golding on 020 7593 8317, email: susigolding@lda.gov.uk or Louise Jones on 020 7593 8686, email: louisejones@lda.gov.uk.

London House has been established by the London Development Agency as a venue for the London organizations in Beijing to promote London as a city in which to invest, to study and to visit. It is 'a little bit of London in Beijing'. The London House is based at Shi-Cha-Hai, and will be open from the 7 to 24 August 2008.

The House is located at:
Shi Cha Hai Club
No49 Di An Men West Street
Xi Cheng District
Beijing

Key events at the London House include: [Media attendance on request]

• 7th August Preview of London House
• 9th August Think London Dinner in association with Deloitte
• 10th August Film London Showcase of Post production
• 13th August LDA Seminar on Investing in London’s infrastructure
• 14th August Think London lunch with China Netcom
• 16th to 17th August London House “open day” showcase London as a tourist destination
• 8th August London Borough of Greenwich Seminar on investment
• 20th August LDA Seminar on London as a science and technology centre
• 20th August Study London London Alumni Club
• 20th August LDA Design for London seminar
• 21st August LDA Seminar on Olympic Legacy
• 21st August LDA Reception on Olympic Legacy
• 22nd August LDA Reception on Events for London
• 22nd August UKTI Seminar on Creative Industry
• 22nd August Think London Creative Industries Fireside Chat
• 23rd August Think London lunch with Bank of China
• 24th August Handover celebration.

London Agencies:

• The London Development Agency is the Regional Development Agency responsible to the Mayor of London for driving the economic development of London by investing in infrastructure, supporting business and promoting London internationally
• Think London is the official foreign direct investment (FDI) agency for London which provides free, confidential and comprehensive advice to help international business locate and expand in London
• London Higher is the representative 'umbrella' organisation for universities and higher education colleges in London
• Visit London is the official visitor organisation for London. A leader in best practice destination marketing, Visit London promotes the UK capital internationally, across Britain and to Londoners targeting leisure and business visitors. Visit London works in partnership with the Mayor of London, the London Development Agency, London Councils and the tourism industry.

Internet access to filmed events

Free broadcast-standard video covering London House events will be available to journalists from the News Market website. First-time users to the Newsmarket service will need to register. Anyone with any queries on the service should email: journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com.

Film:

• 33 inward investment productions with a total UK production spend of £225m were assisted by Film London in 2007. The majority of this was spent in the capital.
• Film London assisted 647 productions in 2007. 40% of productions assisted were TV projects, 21% feature films, 18% commercials & promos, 14% corporate & stills shoots and 7% short films.
• Film London’s annual London UK Film Focus (LUFF) continues to boost the export of British features. As a result of LUFF 2007, sales were at US $3million, an increase of nearly US $1 million on the previous year.
• In October 2007 Film London hosted the first ever Production Finance Market. As a direct result of this market three films with a total budget of US $14m have been greenlit since ($6m European film; $6m UK film and $2m UK/Scottish film).
• In 2007, the average turnover of filming income was £168,557 per inner London borough and £51,428 per outer London borough. The total turnover of filming income came to £2,085,675 for 25 London local authorities.
• Film London's Filming Partnership has reached a membership of 175 London organisations, agencies, local authorities and production companies. The London Filming Partnership works to promote filming in the capital and increase inward investment.
• The distribution and exhibition sector is one of the main employers of the film industry and represents another key economic contributor. Through its audience development work Film London supports annually 60 London festivals, over 40 cinemas and some 30 education providers.
• In 2007 Film London assisted 9,948 enquiries, the majority of these being film-makers and small and medium sized businesses.
• Films depicting the UK are responsible for attracting about 1 in 10 overseas tourists, spending around £1.8 billion a year. Film London's movie maps are one of the most popular downloads from the Film London website. Productions facilitated by Film London and shot in the capital such as Bourne Ultimatum, National Treasure 2, Match Point, The Golden Compass, Pride and Prejudice, V for Vendetta and The Queen all contribute to promoting London as a key destination for business and tourism.
  (Source: Film London)

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
Elected on 2 May 2008

Boris Johnson was born in June 1964 in New York. His family moved to London when he was five years old.

Few Londoners have entirely English descent, and Boris is no exception. He describes himself as a 'one man melting-pot', with French, Turks and Germans among his ancestors.

Boris went to primary school in Camden and was subsequently educated at the European School in Brussels, Ashdown House and then at Eton College. He later read Classics at Balliol College, Oxford as a Brackenbury scholar. During his time at Oxford University he became president of the prestigious Oxford Union. After graduating he moved back to London.

Much though he envies and admires the City, he lasted a week as a management consultant before becoming a trainee reporter for The Times. His career in journalism has seen him undertake various jobs. After a short time as a writer for the Wolverhampton Express and Star, he joined The Daily Telegraph in 1987 as leader and feature writer. From 1989 to 1994 he was the Telegraph's European Community correspondent and from 1994 to 1999 he served as assistant editor. His association with The Spectator began as political columnist in 1994. In 1999 he became editor of the paper and stayed in this role until December 2005.

Besides his work as a journalist, he has published several books, including 'Lend Me Your Ears, Friends, Voters and Countrymen', an autobiographical account of his experience of the 2001 election campaign, and a novel, 'Seventy-Two Virgins'.

He regularly appears on TV and has been a contestant on Have I Got News For You. He has also produced a series on Roman History from his book of the same name, The Dream of Rome.

In 2001 he was elected MP for Henley on Thames, replacing Michael Heseltine. He has held shadow government posts as Vice Chairman, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Shadow Minister of Higher Education. In July 2007, Boris Johnson resigned from his position as shadow education secretary so that he would be free to stand as Conservative candidate for Mayor London. He resigned as MP for Henley shortly after becoming Mayor of London.

As well as being a passionate cyclist, he enjoys painting, playing tennis and spends much of his time bringing up his four children with his wife Marina in North London.

London House will offer services to UK and international media including:

• Access to key speakers for face to face interviews and telephone interviews for non Beijing based media
• Media facilities including wi-fi and interview space
• Filming and photo opportunities with key industry figures
• Indoor and outdoor backdrops for broadcast crews in the popular Hou Hai tourist area
• LDA staff and interpreters on hand for assistance
• Information / access to spokespeople from the Mayor of London's office, the London Development Agency, the British Government, London 2012, Film London, Think London, London Higher, Visit London, Visit Britain and others covering business and investment, tourism, film, education and culture
• Information on British competitors, attractions and daily event schedules
• Plasma screens showing the Games and a range of information and films about London
• Hospitality areas
• Up-to-date and first hand information about London 2012.