Boris Johnson has today signed a £1bn deal with Chinese developer, Advance Business Park (ABP) to transform the Royal Albert Docks in east London into a major business hub for Asian companies. This deal represents one of China’s largest investments in the UK, with the potential to create upwards of 20,000 jobs on the 35-acre site and boosting the Borough of Newham’s economy by as much as 30%.
近年来中国房企纷纷掀起出海投资的热潮. 这一次他们把目光瞄准了大洋彼岸的英国.一线房企开发商总部基地(中国)控股集团有限公司(Advanced Business Park Holdings,以下简称“总部基地”)将斥资 10亿英镑, 在东伦敦的皇家阿尔伯特码头为中国及其他亚洲企业建设办公室、商铺和住宅区, 占地面积35英亩(约14万平方米).
据本杂志的最新报道, 伦敦市长鲍里斯•约翰逊已于英国格林威治时间2013年5月29日完成了这项协议的签署. 而总部基地最快将在未来的12至18个月内开工, 为伦敦创建下一个金融城 -“亚洲商务港”(Asian Business Port).
皇家阿尔伯特码头本因水太浅无法容纳大型集装箱货轮的停泊而在上世纪60年代衰落. 幸好该地区靠近机场, 这个便利的交通优势对企业产生了很大的诱惑. 在这里落户的企业家们未来就能极顺畅地在欧洲各国间穿梭、洽谈生意.
本杂志认为, 此项投资不仅证明了近年来中英双方经济交流的密切, 并且这意味着东伦敦的地区经济发展会发生翻天覆地的变化. 预测表明, 亚洲商务港建成之后至少会为纽汗区增加两万个工作岗位以及30%的地方经济增长.
ABP’s chairman Mr Xu said: “This project will be hugely significant for both the Chinese and UK economies. My vision is to develop a world class international business district which will initially target Asian businesses to help them secure a destination in London, which in China is seen as the gateway to both the United Kingdom and the wider European economy.”