LONDON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The City of London Corporation has announced Thursday a year-long initiative asking businesses in the UK and abroad to help shape its work across Asia over the next ten years, according to a news release.
The Asia Next Decade campaign sees the launch of a new website, in English and Chinese, where industry partners can go to submit their views on Asia via an online survey.
Asia is a hugely important partner for the UK, both now and in the future, as shown by a report published Thursday by the City Corporation. The research conducted by Asia House shows that the region is the fastest growing trade partner for the UK and is forecast to account for around half of world GDP by 2030.
In 10 years' time, China and India will be the 1st and 3rd ranked world economies respectively based on Purchasing Power Parity(PPP), while Indonesia is projected to be the world's 5th biggest economy in 2030, just below Japan, said the report.
The campaign comes as the City Corporation celebrates the 10-year anniversary of representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Mumbai, all of which will hold special events over the next year to mark this milestone.
Catherine McGuinness, City of London Corporation Policy Chairman said: "I am delighted to announce the beginning of this campaign, which will influence the City of London Corporation's thinking about where in Asia we should concentrate our efforts over the next decade to best help the UK economy.
"Asia, which by 2025 is forecast to account for nearly half of the world's GDP, is a crucial part of this 'Global Britain' vision.
"That's why today we are asking industry partners to help shape our work, so that we can best further the interests of the UK financial and professional services industry across the Asian region."
Mark Field,UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Asia and Pacific, said: "London remains a beacon for Asia, and the UK is considered world class in many areas of interest to our friends in Asia - education, the natural sciences, the creative industries, and, of course, financial and professional services.
"Our country stands on the threshold of a new era as we leave the EU to forge an independent future, and as Minister for Asia, I am committed to promoting London's offer to the fastest growing and most dynamic region in the world."
Sherry Madera, the City Corporation's Special Adviser for Asia, who is driving the campaign, said:"I'm thrilled we have launched the City Corporation's Asia Next Decade campaign, which will help shape our work in Asia over the next ten years.
"I'd like to invite all our valued partners to contribute to our consultation on how the City of London Corporation can do our part in forging strong and deep links with Asia.
"In 2018, the City of London is committed to driving growth through partnership. This is the beginning of City of London: Asia Next Decade." Enditem
