North East inward investment experts are confident that more global tech firms will seek to set home in the region, following a two-day trade visit by international trade teams.
Representatives from the Department of International Trade (DIT) from countries including the US, India, Denmark and Ireland spent two days in the North East learning of the region’s strong digital sector and the investment opportunities available.
The visit, organised by Invest North East England (INEE), included trips to some of the region’s digital innovation assets, as well as meeting collaborative digital networks.
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Delegates visited Proto at Gateshead, the first digital production facility of its kind in Europe, as well as Newcastle Helix, home to the National Innovation Centre for Data and National Innovation Centre for Ageing. It also heard about the new national esports performance campus in Sunderland as well as Newcastle and Sunderland Smart Cities.
As well as networking sessions with local businesses and specialists, where delegates could learn first-hand why the region makes an ideal location for tech and digital businesses, the group attended the Thinking Digital Conference at The Sage, Gateshead, featuring internationally renowned speakers from across the digital sector.
Rachel Burdis, inward investment manager at INEE, said: “It has been a great pleasure to host colleagues from the Department of International Trade and to be able to showcase the region and its finest. We have some real technology strengths and assets here, so welcomed the opportunity to promote them to our colleagues at DIT and to equip them with a clear understanding that the region is a key location for this sector in the UK.
“We’re confident this will lead to more enquiries and ultimately result in new inward investment activity and more quality jobs for our region.”
Thomas Webb, deputy director, regions, Northern Powerhouse, Department for International Trade, said: “The visit has been a great opportunity for our overseas officers to see what’s happening in North East England. “Tech is booming in the region, and as such, it is an attractive location for tech and digital businesses to expand and locate. Meeting local businesses and touring the centres of excellence has given them further understanding of the strengths and opportunities in this region and will enable them to have meaningful conversations with potential investors. We look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues at Invest North East England to support tech and digital businesses looking to expand into this part of the UK”.
A main focus of the visit was the immersive tech sector in the North East, which was highlighted by DIT as of national significance for its digital innovation in manufacturing, the potential for collaborations with SMEs and universities, R&D assets in the region, and the skilled workforce.
Next month INEE will welcome an overseas delegation of digital businesses to the region, to visit key assets and meet local tech businesses, as well as attend the Dynamo North East Tech Conference.
