| Liverpool is rated first class for business |
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Lib Dem Liverpool has been ranked in the world's top five per cent for supporting inward investment. The survey was carried out into organisations who provide specialist consultancy services to economic development agencies.It is jointly organised by the specialised economic consultancy GDP Global Development, London, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a division of the World Bank Group. They conducted a "mystery shopper" exercise checking on over 80 agencies, throughout the world, ranging from Invest Australia to the Invest in Iceland Agency. A total of 29 UK agencies were evaluated. Posing as a major European corporation in the manufacturing sector they sought information on a number of issues including financial support available, relocation issues and staff support. They also sought information via Business Liverpool's website. The survey concluded: "In terms of the overall performance, e-communication and investment project handling the agency's performance evaluation resulted in a world class response. The agency 's general performance evaluation was amongst the top 5% of all agencies benchmarked." The ranking is seen as major boost to Business Liverpool, which is the new identity for the former Liverpool Business Centre. Business Liverpool outperformed other regional and local agencies. Mike Taylor, Business Liverpool's chief executive. , said: "Naturally we are delighted with this evaluation but we are not surprised. Our aim is always to give a prompt, accurate and informative service to all callers. However, we are not complacent and constantly strive to develop our services. "It is this sort of service to the business community which has seen £225m of inward investment, more than 500 businesses helped and around 5000 jobs created or safeguarded since our forerunner, the Liverpool Business Centre was established in April 2001." Councillor Peter Millea, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Regeneration added: "This is a world class accolade for what is increasingly acknowledged as a world class city. It is a great boost to our ambition of becoming the country's most business friendly city."
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