York is set to develop a new business alliance with Boston in America, providing a major boost to key bio-technology and tourism sectors.

The deputy mayor of Boston, Robert Wolfgang, was in the city today exploring the prospects for a range of mutually beneficial links between business, tourism and academic organisations.

Mr Wolfgang, whose formal title is director of business development and international trade, was meeting tourism chiefs, senior York University staff and key bio-tech companies including Smith & Nephew Group Research Centre and Biocode in a visit organised by the York Inward Investment Board.

And last night he spoke enthusiastically of the ways in which the two cities could benefit from a trans-Atlantic partnership.He said possibilities included:

Joint ventures, distribution agreements, research partnerships and technology transfers between Boston and Yorkshire companies and colleges;The setting up of a joint venture capital fund to help finance research and development initiatives by smaller and medium-sized companies;Campaigns in Boston and York to highlight the other city's potential as a holiday destination.

Mr Wolfgang said Boston could put up information panels about York in the City Hall lobby, at the international airport and in a major downtown department store, with York doing the same sort of thing in return.

York Inward Investment Chief Executive Paul Murphy said the visit further raised York's international profile following the recent Ecofin conference and visit of the US ambassador.

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