国际英语新闻：British PM says business, gov't must work together for global recovery

LONDON, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday that international business and government should work together to secure a global recovery in 2010.

Brown made the remarks when hosting the Global Investment Conference, a gathering of 250 world business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs in London, including international companies such as Ford, Hitachi, Bombardier, China Merchants Bank, Burberry and Lockheed Martin.

In Britain alone, investment from foreign companies created or safeguarded over 800,000 jobs in the last decade. On average, over 30 companies per week invest in Britain, the No. 1 country in Europe at attracting inward investment.

The gathering of global business leaders to discuss growth and investment comes less than 12 months after the world's political leaders met in London for the G20 summit to talk about how to rescue the global economy.

Brown said: "If 2009 was the year of global recession, then 2010 must be the year of global recovery."

"This is not about a partnership of governments or a partnership of international business, but a partnership of international business and government. It is about how together we can lock in the recovery and grasp the opportunities of the future, " he said.

The prime minister also said that Britain is committed to improving the business environment for investors by simplifying planning processes, developing new infrastructure, and maintaining stable and clear regulation.

British Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business Mervyn Davies said, "the investment decisions of the world business leaders who have gathered in London today will play a vital role in the global economic recovery. We are here to listen, to learn and to act. By restoring flows of investment, and sparking innovation, we can promote economic growth and prosperity around the world."