Manchester Update

Manchester’s links with Japan are stronger than ever following a fact-finding mission to the City by 70 of the country’s leading industrialists from the Kansai region.

Climax of the delegation’s stay was a one-day conference – the Osaka-Manchester Forum 97 – which marked the 125th anniversary of the Iwakura Mission to the United States and Europe in 1872.

One of the objectives of the meeting between the two business communities was to establish trading links in high-tech sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biosciences and environmental technologies.

The three-day visit ended with a civic dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Gerry Carroll, amid the Gothic splendour of the Great Hall in the City’s Victorian town hall. Terry Thomas, former chairman of the Co-operative Bank, chaired the UK side of the forum, while Masafumi Onishi, chairman of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Osaka Gas, led the delegation which visited local firms and attended the special meeting.

Principal British sponsor of the forum, the Co-operative Bank, was joined by names such as British Nuclear Fuels, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals and Manchester Airport. Japanese sponsors included Sharp – which has its European headquarters in Manchester – and All Nippon Airlines.

Sanyo Electric chair, Satoshi Iue, said the forum had been a resounding success, adding that he would now be “actively looking for opportunities for renewed business”. For Sir David Trippier, chairman of Marketing Manchester, the conference had helped “increase awareness” of what Manchester and the North West had to offer. The Japanese ambassador Hiroaki Fujii commented after the visit that it had been “a very successful first step” and he added “it must surely now lead to developing concrete long-term business relations”. At the full sessions of the forum much of the discussion was on the prospects for increased trade.

British members asked about Japanese non-tariff barriers and urged faster progress on deregulation, but they were also reminded that British sales to Japan reached a record of £4.3 billion in 1996 – an increase of over 13.6 per cent.

In an article in the Japan Times Sir Hugh Cortazzi, chairman of the preparatory committee in Britain for the Oaska-Manchester Forum, said there was also considerable discussion about investment. “The British side made it clear that the North West authorities would do all they could to help Japanese wanting to invest in the region which had good communications and infrastructure.” Cortazzi also reported that delegates from both sides were interested in the development of small and medium scale industries and how the two regions could learn from the experience of the other.

At the end of the forum on September 26 the two leaders signed a joint declaration reaffirming their determination to expand the links between the two regions and develop trade, investment and technological exchanges.

It was also agreed that a high level team from Manchester and the North West would visit the Kansai next October as part of ‘The Britain in Japan Year’ to further cement and develop the relationships

Companies and organisations across Greater Manchester have been honoured in the region’s own Oscar ceremony for a “phenomenal” year of tourism which generated hundreds of millions of pounds .

A gala evening at the Palace Hotel, Manchester, celebrated the achievement with the presentation of the 1997 Greater Manchester Business Through Tourism Awards. Now in their fourth year, the awards – organised by Marketing Manchester – recognise, promote and reward business generation through tourism across the region.

Dr Patrick Greene, chairman of the Marketing Manchester Visitor and Convention Bureau, estimates tourism business from visitors staying overnight is currently worth £435 million. He says tourism is growing right across Greater Manchester and the awards recognise the achievements of those individuals and organisations who have made this happen.

Speaking at the awards ceremony on October 15, Sir David Trippier, chairman of Marketing Manchester, said: “It has been a phenomenal year for tourism across Greater Manchester and we are looking forward to an even more exciting 1998.”

Virgin Trains sponsored the National Award presented to Music Live 97 – the joint Manchester City Council/BBC event which showcased Manchester’s music nation-wide, attracting both visitors and media attention and appealing to a wide spectrum of age groups and tastes. Granada Studios was highly commended for its innovative educational packages.

The Local and Regional Award, sponsored by Manchester Training and Enterprise Council, was won by Tatton Park for its Hallé Fireworks and Light Spectacular. Highly commended were Rusholme Traders Association and the East Lancashire Railway.

Aspect International won the International Award (sponsored by Manchester Airport) for its work with the 44th World Table Tennis Championships. As official destination management company for the championships, Aspect brought business from 105 countries to Manchester during the event. It has also set up a new Manchester office to handle forthcoming projects. Presenting the award, Councillor Roy Oldham, chairman of Manchester Airport, said: “Aspect succeeded in bringing visitors from all over the globe into Manchester, providing an ideal opportunity to showcase the city both as a destination and a gateway. “The number of countries involved is significant and generated business for hotels, restaurants and other attractions across Greater Manchester.”

Manchester City Council received the Enterprise Award (sponsored by British Airways) for the Bellway Manchester Ice Rink. Mainestream Events and Hospitality at Manchester City Football Club was highly commended.

The Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by the Manchester Evening News was presented to Greater Manchester’s six soccer teams in recognition of their league-topping performances earlier this year. Manchester’s music industry was recognised in the Image Award, sponsored by the Visitor and Convention Bureau – the tourism division of Marketing Manchester.

A special award was made to the Bridgewater Hall in recognition of its significant impact in the first year of operation

For further information, please contact Emma Leech at Marketing Manchester,
56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU.
Tel: 0161-237 1010, Fax: 0161-228 2960,
E-mail: mm@marketing-manchester.co.uk

What the sponsors said:
National Award
“Fifty per cent of the population knew that Music Live was happening in Manchester and additional revenue generated for the city is estimated at £1 million.” Joanne Want, Virgin Trains business manager, Manchester area

Image Award
“The success of bands like Simply Red, Oasis, M People and the Verve has had, and continues to have, a massive effect on both tourism and on Manchester’s reputation as a whole.” Dr Patrick Greene, chairman of the Marketing Manchester

Visitor and Convention Bureau Outstanding Contribution Award
“Sport and tourism are intrinsically linked and this award recognises the importance of football in particular in attracting business into Greater Manchester.” Mark Dodson, deputy managing director of the Manchester Evening News