EEDA - East of England Development Agency

Business chief calls for a ‘new and vibrant partnership’

20 March 2009

The leader of one of the major business groups in the East of England called for a ‘new and vibrant partnership’ to tackle the current challenges and unlock the massive potential of the regional economy, at a debate in London this week hosted by EEDA.

Steve Sharratt, chair of the CBI Eastern Region, said:

“We need a new and vibrant partnership between our businesses, our politicians and our people, so that out of the current economic crisis we can achieve a sense of purpose and direction, which transcends party politics and engages businesses and people to stake our claim in the future of our region. Let’s work together in a new way to tackle the challenges differently, to champion our causes and our successes and make the East of England the place we really want it to be, a thriving environment where businesses want to start and grow and people want to live.”

Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said:

“Our debate was about raising awareness of the economy of the East of England and bringing together some of the region’s key players to assess what more can be done to foster business prosperity at this difficult time.

“Our region has one of the fastest growing populations and economies in the UK and is home to world-class research institutes, universities and companies. The East of England is at the forefront of the food and farming as well as the growing renewable energy and ‘green’ sectors. We are also a major international gateway, with the UK’s leading ports and two major London airports.

“Yet this region’s potential is restricted due to a relatively poor skills-base and some of the most congested transport routes in Europe. The East of England is also the single most vulnerable region in the country when we consider the potential effects of climate change.

“We are currently in difficult financial times and yet it remains important to keep one eye on the eventual upturn. To this end, EEDA is working collectively with regional partners to find innovative funding mechanisms at a regional level to insure continued investment in skills, training and infrastructure. For example, EEDA is working up a strong business case for a Regional Infrastructure Fund that may allow the funding the region does receive, to be stretched further and attract additional funding from the private sector, to top-up the pot.”

EEDA organised the debate, which was attended by more than 100 delegates, with the aim of highlighting the region’s position as a key driver of the national economy and demonstrating to the gathered audience the need for increased investment.

MPs, Peers, local authority leaders, representatives from big business and regional stakeholders, were joined at the debate in the House of Commons by Pat McFadden, Minister from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, as well as Barbara Follett, Minister for the East of England.

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