Partner Article

NECC reveals plan to spur economic recovery

A regional business group has today unveiled a new action plan geared to getting the North East economy back on track by the end of 2009.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), whose members employ a third of the region’s workforce, has set out what it calls a ‘proactive approach’ to beating the downturn.

Its 2009 Manifesto identifies the need to remove barriers to trade, improve trading conditions, develop much-needed infrastructure and acknowledge the role firms play in the fabric of the North East community.

Richard Bottomley, NECC president, said: “We need to see an unremitting focus on ensuring the North East has the best possible business environment. Despite the current economic difficulties, we are convinced the future prospects for businesses in the North East are bright. We now need the right choices to be made so that the economic potential in this region can be realised. Over the year, we will work with and where necessary challenge all relevant organisations to respond to this agenda.”

NECC has set up a Fiscal Policy Working Group to identify and lobby against areas of taxation and red tape that are harming businesses’ ability to compete. The group will publish a report later this year and lobby for change both regionally and nationally.

Other main targets for the NECC’s plans in 2009 include encouraging councils to work more closely with local firms, upgrading the region’s transport infrastructure, and improving the reach of the North East’s business support networks.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .