Economic experts heading for North East

Nov 17 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

ECONOMIC experts from the three main political parties are heading to the North East to discuss the region’s success.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne and Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable will both be at the fourth annual meeting of the North East Economic Forum (NEEF) next month.

The Labour Party is still deciding who to send to the influential talks which in recent years has seen Tony Blair and David Cameron head to the region to meet with business leaders.

Already confirmed is Minister for the North East Nick Brown, who will be joining businesses in planning the best way to face the challenges in the year ahead.

Sky News political editor Adam Boulton will chair the events which organisers say will focus on transport, the environment and energy concerns and the business opportunities in the region.

Delegates will be told that for the first time in living memory, the region’s economy has a clear direction and a genuine basis for optimism.

Business leaders meeting at the event will have the ear of Government and regional quango decision-makers as some of the UK’s most powerful civil servants and politicians seek out their views.

Last year’s event saw Tory leader David Cameron accuse Labour of betraying the North East and labelling their transport record a failure.

This year’s conference will also see contributions from Chris Braithwaite, head of leading Northern engineering company Wellstream, and contributions from National Express and energy company NaREC.

Alan Duncan, Conservative Tyneside spokesman and shadow business secretary, has leant his support to the NEEF annual talk.

He said: “These are extraordinarily difficult times for the economy; now’s the time when the North East needs a first-class forum to discuss the future of the region. Since its inception, the North East Economic Forum has provided just that, proving again and again it has the clout to attract the brightest and the best.”

One North East chairman Margaret Fay has also praised the work done by NEEF as businesses prepare for a difficult 2009.

She said: “NEEF plays a leading role in the ongoing debate around the revitalisation and regeneration of the North East economy. While we have made significant progress, the current economic downturn presents real challenges and issues that need to be tackled now.

“The forum, now firmly established in the region’s calendar, provides a platform for this debate and an opportunity to progress the wider regional development agenda.”

The conference will be at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel on December 5.