The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nick Anstee, will thismonth lead a business delegation to Romania (Monday 26 April "Wednesday 28 April) in order to promote UK plc and to strengthenfurther the burgeoning business relationship between the twocountries.

During his time in Bucharest, the Lord Mayor will be meetingRomanian President Traian B"sescu, Prime Minister Emil Boc and theministers of Economy and Finance, as well as other policy makersand business leaders from both Romania and the UK.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nick Anstee,commented:"Romania is an important trade and business partner for the UKas well as a natural ally in the European Union.

"Indeed Romania has attracted more thanfour billion Eurosof investment from the UK whilst more than 4,000 British companieshave already established a presence in the market.

"The UK"s unrivalled reputation as a centre for world-classfinancial and professional services means we are well placed toassist Romania increase its reputation as a viable businessenvironment that is attractive for international investors.

"By offering training at home and in Romania and by fosteringbusiness interaction, we can help Romania boost the quality of itsbusiness offer, particularly in areas such as Law andAccountancy.

"In return, I hope that UK firms will be well positioned toattract new business in areas such as infrastructuredevelopment.

"Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are well developed in the UKand have delivered a range of major infrastructure projects andservices in education, healthcare and the penitentiary system.

British businesses have all the necessary experience andcompetencies to help develop such projects in Romania. "The Lord Mayor"s business delegation will consist ofapproximately 15 people including high level representatives from anumber of leading City-based firms and organisations such as theLondon Stock Exchange, the Law Society of England and Wales and theInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Whilst in Romania, the Lord Mayor will deliver a key note speechat a British Embassy seminar on Public Private Partnerships at9.30am on Tuesday, 27 April at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The Lord Mayor, will also be holding a press briefing forLondon-based journalists at 17.00h on Thursday 22nd April atMansion House.