LIVERPOOL’S presence at the Shanghai Expo in 2010 could generate up to £50m in the next 10 years.

An independent report by international consultants Scott Wilson has set out the tangible benefits which can be expected from the city’s presence at the six-month exhibition in China – dubbed the business Olympics – as it puts the city’s, and region’s, offerings in front of an international audience.

Today the city will launch its prospectus which sets out how businesses can be part of Liverpool’s presence.

Liverpool is one of only two UK cities, the other being London, to exhibit at the Expo, which is expected to attract 70m visitors. The city’s presence is being led by a partnership of Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool Shanghai Partnership, supported by economic development company Liverpool Vision and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Michael Parker, chairman of Liverpool Vision, said: “We believe the economic uncertainties which are impacting on the real economy and on real businesses will be temporary.

“The opportunity represented by the World Expo is a fleeting six-month opportunity to drive business growth way beyond the likely lifespan of the current recession.”

The city’s stand is in the Urban Best Practice Pavilion, near Cairo, Venice and Chinese garden cities Hangzhou and Suzhou, which are expected to be a big draw for visitors.

The exhibition space will promote how Liverpool as a modern, leading city can develop and prosper while conserving its rich history as a World Heritage site.

Organisers expect to welcome up to 6,000 people a day to Liverpool’s stand – more than 1m people during the Expo’s lifespan from May to October 2010.

Liverpool has targeted four areas, backed by the Scott Wilson report, where they expect to reap tangible rewards.

Increases have been forecast in the number of Chinese tourists and students, as well as a rise in exports and additional inward investment.