A delegation of investors from Spain has arrived in the region which it is hoped could unlock key opportunities in the health and technology sectors.
The packed itinerary involved the group meeting local health tech businesses, hearing from the National Innovation Centre for Data and a tour of science and tech hub Newcastle Helix, with a main focus on sharing knowledge and insights from the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA).
The delegates included Spanish health tech companies, the Department of Business and Trade and an advisor from the Nagusi Intelligence Center, a centre for public-private collaboration that aims to transform the challenges of an ageing population into opportunities for economic and social development.
Read more: North East business life - charity, community and award events in the region
The visit follows 2022 analysis by accountancy firm EY published last week, which revealed that the North East is in the top 10 UK regions for attracting foreign direct investment, having enjoyed the fastest growth in projects across the UK.
Nic Palmarini, director of NICA, said: “This visit is part of a broader programme of initiatives aimed at promoting and sharing the novel digital assets for ageing and longevity which we are creating in the North East, as well as creating new partnerships with stakeholders across the global landscape.”
The visit, hosted by Invest North East England (INEE), came days after another delegation visited TechNExt, a festival launched to showcase the region’s blossoming technology sector. Among the 3,000-plus international festival attendees were INEE’s visitors, which included tech companies, Department of Business and Trade officers, and technology trade association Tech UK.
Over three days, the group enjoyed events, meetings and tours across the region, as well as fringe events which formed part of the TechNExt festival, including a breakfast meeting with Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah, Labour’s front bench spokesperson for digital, science and research matters.
Rachel Burdis, Invest North East England’s inward investment manager, said: “It’s been a brilliant and busy summer so far with delegates coming from all over the world; from the US and Canada, and Europe through to Singapore, introducing them to the North East of England and showcasing our expertise, facilities and opportunities in digital and technology, healthy ageing, and life sciences amongst other things.
“Visitors have told us they’ve been impressed, not only by our strengths in data, AI, and immersive technologies, but also in our breadth of expertise and talent across the five regional universities, specialist business support organisations, and our national innovation centres.”
