The North East possesses a strong regional identity, a highly motivated workforce and a large, stable labour pool. Recent years have seen a consistently strong export performance, significant inward investment including flagship projects such as Nissan, Samsung and Siemens, and a rapid increase in post-16 education. Nevertheless the region is perceived to be peripheral and there are pockets of high unemployment.
Educational attainment is relatively low.
Small firms and self employment are comparatively under represented, reflecting historic working patterns. The North East regional partners all emphasised the need for the region to continue to improve its competitiveness and for a level playing field on grants and support for inward investment with Scotland and Wales and other regions. In consequence there is strong support for a Regional Development Agency, with wide-ranging powers. The RDA will maintain the region s improvement and its approach to development, with new investment creating demand locally for goods and services to strengthen the supply base, and companies improving their performance and ability to compete more effectively in the market place. Most respondents agree that the RDA should draw up a regional economic development strategy with the main aims of reducing unemployment and improving the economic competitiveness of the region.