OPED by London’s Lord Mayor David Wootton who will be visiting New Zealand next week .

“With less than 150 days to go until the start of the 2012 Olympics, the excitement in London is mounting. This year, I hope to engender the Olympic spirit during my overseas visits, forging partnerships and encouraging businesses to strive harder, even in the face of adversity, embodying the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (“Faster, Higher, Stronger”).

This month when I visit New Zealand, I hope to strengthen the bond between our two countries. The longstanding relationship between the UK and New Zealand is one highly valued by both nations, and one of which we are reminded every day through our shared cultural heritage.

Our heritage is not all that we share however, and we must not overlook the core business values, technical and legal standards that make the commercial ties between our countries so strong.

In the City, we see this partnership especially as one of exchanging skills and experience to aid the growth of both nations. Closer business alliance will sustain our shared wider goals of economic diversification and sustainable growth.

The Olympics will open many doors for New Zealand businesses in the UK, and will also provide an optimum opportunity for New Zealanders to visit London and experience the City in its element. When better to experience a city than during a celebration of the values that best encapsulate it? Vibrancy, energy and cosmopolitanism are qualities of which London has always been proud, and ones which will only shine brighter once the Olympic torch has been lit.

Celebrations and festivities aside however, we must turn our hands to more pressing matters. After the tragic earthquakes that devastated Christchurch last year, now more than ever we should be pooling our resources to aid the reconstruction effort. After the Olympics have passed, there will be ample opportunity for UK construction companies and PPP experts to offer their skills to bolster the recovery plan.

Over the last 15 years, the UK has invested an unprecedented amount in infrastructure. A substantial proportion of this investment has been funded via public-private partnerships (PPPs), which currently account for approximately 25 per cent of UK public infrastructure spending.

This puts the UK – and the City in particular – at the forefront of planning, procuring, managing and delivering projects ranging from roads to hospitals. Our expertise in the development of PPP programmes and in the construction field could prove invaluable in getting Canterbury on the road to recovery.

When my friend and City colleague, Lord Levene, visited Christchurch last year in his capacity as Chairman of Lloyds of London, I know that he was greatly affected by what he saw there.

But he came bearing good news: London insurers and reinsurers would – and could – pay out on policies covering risks in Christchurch. Such are the benefits of a strong working partnership with the City of London. 2011 proved one of the worst years for losses caused by natural disasters – but the market has been able to absorb those payments. London insurance and reinsurance can, and will, provide the cover and protection necessary to support the healthy recovery of the South Island.

As well as being able to help with the reconstruction effort in Canterbury, the UK is also able to help New Zealand in expanding and adapting for the future. In a world that is becoming increasingly globalised, now more than ever are such partnerships essential to future growth.

New Zealand is a natural business partner for the UK, as we share complementary values and a common outlook, as well as a thirst for innovation. Our business partnership gives individuals the chance to broaden their experience over a variety of international networks while generating dividends for both nations.

In addition to combining our knowledge and resources in Tech City with New Zealand’s vision to develop its clean technology industries, we can also integrate our expertise to better compete within Asian markets.

New Zealand is based in close geographical proximity to Asian markets such as China, and is home to a significant population of individuals fluent in an array of Asian languages. Coupling these strengths with London’s deep talent pool and unrivalled access to other international markets makes good business sense, and will hopefully provide further opportunities for future exchange and development.”

David Wootton ,
Lord Mayor of London .

Notes

David Wootton is the Lord Mayor of the City of London while Boris Johnson is the Mayor of London which covers the City of London and its 32 boroughs. The two posts do not conflict and both mayors work together and complement each other.

ENDS

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