DONG Energy, the world leader in offshore wind, has today announced that it will be supporting the International Festival for Business 2016 (IFB2016) as a sponsor.

The sponsorship is being announced at an International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE) event in the City of London attended by James Wharton MP, Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse.

DONG Energy's sponsorship of IFB2016 follows a report showing that the company's projects in the Humber will result in investment of around £6 billion over the period of 2013 – 2019. DONG Energy has already invested over £6 billion in the UK over the past decade. The company has a large presence on the west coast of the UK as well, and is building the world's biggest offshore wind farm - Walney Extension - in the Irish Sea, approximately nineteen kilometres off the coast of Cumbria, which will be commissioned in 2018.

Backed by HM Government, IFB2016 is the world's biggest business festival. It will bring together thousands of global businesses, providing a platform for companies to connect and conduct international commerce.

Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse, James Wharton, said: "I am delighted that DONG Energy will be supporting the world's biggest business festival, giving companies the opportunity to network and make deals on a global scale. As a showcase for British business this is a fantastic shop window to demonstrate our world-leading talent in key industries such as energy, manufacturing and creative and digital".

Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy's UK Country Chairman, put the partnership in context: "The UK is our largest market for offshore wind and we are playing a major role in the creation of long-term high-skills jobs in the Northern Powerhouse. We are delighted to be part of the world's biggest business festival and this really underlines our continued commitment to supporting growth across the UK.

"DONG Energy is investing £6 billion in the Humber region alone by 2019, and it is exciting to be involved in the global showcase of British industry at IFB2016."

Max Steinberg CBE, International Festival for Business 2016 Chair, was similarly upbeat: "We are delighted to welcome DONG Energy to the sponsorship family for IFB2016. DONG Energy is a world leader in renewable energy and will enhance our programme and activity. We are looking forward to working with the DONG Energy team".

Next summer's festival follows the success of the inaugural IFB in 2014, which produced more than £200 million of investment deals and new export sales totalling more than £80 million as the direct result of introductions and connections facilitated by the event.

As a global showcase for great British industries and sectors, the festival is a key date in the UK and international business calendar commencing on 13th June, 2016. It will focus on key sectors that are transforming the business landscape of Britain and beyond including: energy and environment; manufacturing; creative and digital.