A report by the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services advised that World EXPO 2010 was due to be held in Shanghai, China, between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2010.  It was being referred to as the “Business Olympics” and the City of Liverpool was the only UK City to have a stand at the event after London’s withdrawal.

The City of Liverpool had offered all boroughs in the City Region the opportunity to support the event and its stand, which would be branded as “Liverpool - Gateway to the North West”.

All of the City Region authorities had been given the opportunity to participate in EXPO 2010.  In addition, Peel Holdings, the major sponsor of EXPO, had asked that the Council have a presence at EXPO as the company intended to use the opportunity to promote the Wirral Waters scheme.  The Director saw this as an important opportunity to promote Wirral on a world stage, both generally and specifically, as the location of the Wirral Waters scheme.  Members were aware of the theme of the Investment Strategy ‘Think Big’ and this would provide the Council with the opportunity to do, just that, to a huge audience from across the world, at a world class event.

The Cabinet was asked to endorse Wirral Council’s financial support and Officers’ attendance at the event

Resolved: - That

(1)  Wirral supports the World EXPO 2010 for the reasons set out above and in the report and that the costs be funded from the Working Wirral Programme International Links project.

(2)  Further opportunities for wider participation at EXPO 2010 be reported to the Cabinet as they arise