Peel’s Chinese investors ‘hope for more projects’

Stella Shiu, chairman of Sam Wa Group, joint venture partner in the International Trade Centre in Wirral, told guests at the 2012 Liverpool Cannes Do property lunch on Friday she expects to make further investments in the area.

Shiu was part of a Chinese delegation made up of investors and government officials that spent last week in the city, even attending the planning committee meeting on Tuesday when consent was granted for Liverpool Waters.

More than 450 guests from the city's property community attended the popular and lively annual lunch, this year held in Peel's 12 Princes Dock office building, with entertainment provided by comedian Willie Miller.

Speaking after a colourful opening address from Lindsey Ashworth, director of Peel Group, during which he confessed to possibly still being drunk from days spent celebrating the Liverpool Waters decision, he handed over to his Chinese partner.

Shiu said: "We feel very happy that Peel finally got planning permission this week for Liverpool Waters.

"For Sam Wa, hopefully this is the start of a long relationship in this region for further investment in other projects such as Liverpool Waters."

Her company is a global minerals importer and exporter based in Hong Kong and Jiangsu on the east coast of China near Shanghai. Among other guests on the top table as part of the Chinese delegation was Tommy Tong, chairman of Ka Shing Investment Company, who joined Shiu on stage to draw the raffle prize winners.

Shiu added: "In China, there is massive interest from so many companies waiting to do business with the UK and work with the UK. Myself and my Sam Wa Group are in contact with many of them. My primary role at the International Trade Centre as part of the partnership with Peel is to seek out a high quality Chinese business to occupy the International Trade Centre and tenants for all phases.

"Besides this, I have recognised a secondary role, which will be to identify other business opportunities in this region with Peel, such as Liverpool Waters and perhaps other infrastructure projects that either Sam Wa Group or other Chinese companies will want to invest in.

"Along with Peel, I recognise the potential for growth and business expansion in the Liverpool city region. Since Liverpool and Peel jointly supported the Shanghai Expo in the year 2010 there are so many friendships that have started as a result that are undoubtedly going to lead to good business relationships in the Liverpool city region with the whole of China.

"Lastly, 100 years ago Liverpool was the first area in the United Kingdom where Chinese people landed.

"Today with Sam Wa Group hopefully we will bring Chinese investors, products, working opportunities and government organisations increasing into Liverpool.

"Let's make it happen, thank you everybody."

The £175m Peel ITC will comprise of four phases totalling 2.5m sq ft and be used to import and showcase Chinese new products launching into the UK. Sam Wa has invested in a joint venture in the first phase.

Liverpool and Wirral Waters both have outline consent for massive developments on previously disused dock estate on the banks of the Mersey.