Boris Johnson has declared London ‘open for business’ as he officially opened Canon Europe’s new London HQ earlier today.
The new offices, located in Stockley Park near Heathrow, is expected to create 200 new jobs and safeguard almost three hundred existing positions.
Pointing to the City of London’s Global Financial Services Index of international financial professionals which suggests is leading the field as the world’s financial centre, Johnson invited other major firms to get in touch if they “want a base in the world’s best city for business.”
“The evidence is irrefutable. For the third year running London is streets ahead of the competition as the place to be if you want to trade in the global market. It’s not just this survey but the fact that Canon, the global electronics giant, has given our great city a resounding vote of confidence by establishing its European HQ here. These are two compelling reasons to get in touch without delay to see how your business can be a great success in London.
Johnson said it was important that London “forge ahead with all our plans to improve our city’s infrastructure with projects like Crossrail to ensure we remain top dog and keep the challengers at bay.”
TawkinSenz says
Classic politicans statement – catchy but meaningless.
London has always been open for business Boris – it’s just that all the customers have disappeared!
It’s good to see that as we prepare for number of years of hardship Boris’s priority is to ensure London is a great place for foreign companies to run a business, taking advantage of our lax taxation rules (if you’re not domiciled) and the complete lack of regulatory authority.
There is nothing worse than witnessing the desperation of politics to please business.