Member Article

NECC to launch most ambitious manifesto to date

The North East Chamber of Commerce is using its bicentenary year to not only unite business across the North East, but to launch its most ambitious Manifesto to date.

NECC today launches its 2015 Manifesto at Newcastle Guild Hall, in the very room that the first ever Chamber of Commerce in the region launched its first set of business priorities when a handful of merchants and traders realized they were stronger collectively than as individuals.

The document sets key lobbying priorities to champion the region domestically and overseas, link the worlds of education and business and become an international gateway for industry.

The region’s largest business membership organisation will use its 200th Anniversary, on January 5, 2015, to launch the Manifesto, which also aims to tackle the cost of doing business and campaign for increased support for members.

The document aims to build on the lobbying successes of the past two years, which saw the Government commit to a host of key infrastructure projects in the region, including the upgrade of the A1 North of Newcastle, roll-out of superfast broadband and work commencing on addressing traffic pinch points on the Western Bypass.

There were also positive regional and national announcements on a review of business rates, a reduction in stamp duty for 98% of homebuyers and more support made available for exporters.

Dave Laws, NECC President, said: “2015 will be the year of North East business. We are a constant and passionate evangelist for our members and the groundbreaking work they are doing in our region, but throughout our 200th anniversary, NECC200, we will be celebrating every business success from the smallest one man band to the largest multi-national.

“When our founders first came together in the very room we will be launching this Manifesto, they aimed for “the attainment of objects the exertions of individuals may be less adequate to accomplish”.

“For the two centuries since then, NECC has enabled businesses in our region to exercise the collective influence that goes well beyond that which they could wield by themselves. We have achieved an enormous amount of change for the benefit of our region’s economy.

“The North East is not just a fantastic region in which to live, work and do business. It is a crucial part of the UK economy and vital to the country’s future success.

“We are the only region with a consistently positive balance of trade and home to a series of vital established and emerging industry clusters. We possess the expertise and resources needed for long-term energy security and the capacity to absorb growth that is lacking in many other areas.

“This Manifesto sets out how the assets of the North East can be maximised for the benefit of the region and the country.

“Over our 200 years, the North East Chamber of Commerce has made a tremendous difference to business conditions across the North East and we intend for that to continue.

“With every business we recruit into membership the voice of regional business grows stronger and I would urge all firms in the North East to sign-up for membership – as the merchants who met at the Guild Hall on January 5, 1815 realised, collectively we are a much stronger force for change than individually.”