The International Festival for Business (IFB2014) opened today in Liverpool and across the North West. The festival claims it will offer more than 1,000 business opportunities valued at £1.7 billion and it is to be the biggest business festival in Britain for 60 years, with an estimated 250,000 international visitors expected.

IFB launched in 2013 as part of the Government’s plans to get the UK’s economy back on track. The festival hopes to help double British exports to £1 trillion by 2020 and generate more than £100 million of foreign investment in the next 5 years.

More than 250 business events and 70 cultural events are planned over the next 50 days of the festival. Guest sepakers include Lord Livingston – Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Sir Terry Leahy, Jim O’Neill, Lord Heseltine, Ron Dennis CBE and Ana Botin.

Max Steinberg CBE, chairman of IFB2014, commented: "IFB2014 will put the North West, the UK and indeed Liverpool firmly on the map as a great place to do business. The calibre of events, speakers and locations reflects the greatness of British industry and business, and I look forward to witnessing firsthand the wealth of opportunities that the Fesitval will present."

IFB runs in partnership with UKTI and the Department of Business Skills and Innovation.

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