23 June 2000

Christchurch’s Mayor, Garry Moore, is back from overseas pleased that several countries are willing to assist the city.

He is just back from a visit to Finland, France, Ireland and Scotland before he attended a service in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, to mark the 150^th founding of Canterbury.

In Finland, Ireland, and Scotland he pursued economic matters and he says that in all three countries officials expressed an interest in assisting Christchurch.

In Helsinki he talked to the vice-president of the Nokia company, Lauri Kivinen, and discussed the advantages of establishing a research and development base in Christchurch.

He also visited Shannon Development, which started the Irish economic revolution. After talks with its chief executive, Paul Sheane, Mr Moore felt Christchurch could form an alliance with it that would be of benefit to both economies.

In Glasgow, a director of the Scottish Enterprise organisation raised the possibility of staff exchanges between both cities to swap ideas.

Mr Moore also held talks on inner-city renewal in Glasgow.

Further information: Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore: 941 8558.