The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire wants to secure a share of a potential £170 million annual economic boost for Yorkshire and the Humber on a visit to India.
This weekend David Skaith will travel to India as part of a major Northern delegation seeking to attract investment, create jobs and strengthen trade links following the UK’s new free trade agreement with the country.
About 200 representatives from across the North, including mayors, businesses, universities and leaders from tourism, culture and sport, are hoping to promote the North’s economic opportunity. The mission runs from October 11 to 16.
Mr Skaith said:
“There’s never been a better time to go out to India representing the North. Together we can strike new deals and bring home the quality jobs our communities deserve.
“We already have strong connections in India and they will only get stronger as the University of York recently welcomed their first students at its new Mumbai campus.
“We’re ready to showcase what our county does best, from the creative industries that inspire, leading-edge research in the bioeconomy, and food and farming innovations that feed us.”
Mr Skaith will join fellow metro mayors, including Tracy Brabin, Oliver Coppard and Kim McGuinness on the mission, which represents the first major regional response to the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into force in July.
Planned activities include pitching the region’s investment opportunities directly to Indian investors and businesses, bringing together Northern and Indian businesses for networking, and connecting companies from across the North with potential Indian customers, investors and commercial partners.
Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary, said:
“From agreeing the India trade deal with Minister Goyal in Hyde Park last year to seeing it come into force this summer, the coalition of Northern mayors and businesses is an exciting initiative in the next stage our partnership, which is packed with economic opportunities from our most significant deal to date.
“From Sunderland to Skye, this is what will drive economic growth across the country, where government lays the groundwork for businesses and organisations to work together with international partners to create jobs and opportunities for now and for the future.”
Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“The North is going to India with ambition, confidence and a simple message: we want to seize every opportunity this new trade deal creates.
“That’s why we’re not waiting for the benefits to come to us. We’re taking the North’s leading businesses, universities, sports clubs and visitor destinations to India to win investment, open doors for our businesses, bring more visitors to the North and build relationships that can last for generations.
“From clean energy and advanced manufacturing to life sciences, technology and our creative industries, the North has world-class strengths and a compelling offer to India.
“When the North comes together, we are mighty – and we’re excited to showcase the best of our regions on the global stage, to help bring jobs, prosperity and opportunity back home.”
UK Government analysis estimates the new trade agreement could boost the economies of the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and North East by £450 million “every year in the long run” – £210 million in the North West, £170 million in Yorkshire and the Humber and £70 million in the North East.
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