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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 392-11
November 3, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG CONVENES INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON BUSINESS INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND JOB CREATION SPONSORED BY NEW YORK CITY GLOBAL PARTNERS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today addressed delegates representing 23 international cities during the New York City Global Partners Summit “Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship:  City Strategies.” The Mayor and Jeff Immelt, the Chair of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and CEO of GE, discussed how global cities can spur innovation and create new employment opportunities. Their conversation was part of a three-day international meeting of government officials and private sector representatives showcasing best practices, such as promoting entrepreneurship through access to capital and affordable incubator space; facilitating business creation by reducing government red tape; supporting infrastructure for energy efficient business development; and creating public-private partnerships which diversify the local economy and develop the workforce. The summit was developed by New York City Global Partners, Inc. in cooperation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and co-sponsored by Columbia University and the World Bank. The Mayor was joined at the summit by Marjorie B. Tiven, Commissioner, New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol and Treasurer, New York City Global Partners, Inc.; Robert Kasdin, Senior Executive Vice President, Columbia University in the City of New York; Professor Meyer Feldberg, President, New York City Global Partners, Inc., Senior Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Dean Emeritus at Columbia’s Business School; and Ester R. Fuchs, Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science, Columbia University.

“Throughout history, cities in every corner of the globe have always been magnets for talented, ambitious people, and that’s made us the birthplace for the new ideas and new products that spur human progress and fuel economic growth,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Here in New York City, we are focused on doing all we can to encourage that growth and create jobs, and that’s why we are coming out of the recession faster than the rest of the country.”

The summit was attended by delegations from Bangalore, Barcelona, Berlin, Bucharest, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Geneva, Ho Chi Minh City, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Karachi, Kiev, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Lyon, Montréal, Munich, New York City, Panama City, Stockholm, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. During the summit, attendees also heard from World Bank Institute Vice President, Sanjay Pradhan; New York City tech entrepreneur Kevin P. Ryan, Founder and CEO, Gilt Groupe; and public and private leaders in economic development from Barcelona, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Lyon Stockholm and Tel Aviv. The summit is underwritten by GE. 

“Innovation will be a critical driver of economic development in the 21st century and beyond,” said Seth W. Pinsky, President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.  “By bringing together leaders from around the world, and allowing them to share their ideas, this summit will encourage the type of creative thinking necessary to strengthen the global innovation economy, and will showcase New York City as an emerging leader and model for other cities near and far.”

“New York City Global Partners’ summits demonstrate the continuing relevance to the global economy of the world’s great cities,” said Professor Feldberg. “During this summit, Global Partners has created a superb opportunity for participants to share their experiences and learn about innovative programs from 23 global cities in 18 countries.” 

“This summit has tested the leadership of global cities to share their most creative ideas about job creation and how cities are contributing to the economic recovery,” said Commissioner Marjorie Tiven. “Implementing public policies that foster entrepreneurship and job creation is undeniably one of the most important challenges facing cities today.”

New York City Global Partners, Inc. represents the Bloomberg administration’s international approach, connecting the City of New York with dozens of other world cities in active and substantive ways through innovative policy exchanges.  Its programs include international summits, an online resource bank, and an online children’s program.  Global Partners has convened nine international summits on the most important public policy issues facing global cities.  The Innovation Exchange, Global Partners online resource bank of best practices, features more than 100 reports from New York City and 31 international cities.  Global Partners Junior, the project-based education program, connects New York City middle school children to their peers in cities around the globe through the internet.  This year, they are working together on a curriculum focused on the global marketplace.  Located in the office of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol, New York City Global Partners is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit www.nyc.gov/globalpartners or call 311.







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