SEVERAL West Yorkshire businesses have headed out with Mayor Tracy Brabin on a five-day trip across Europe.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has said the European trade mission is to help drive investment and growth across three of the region’s biggest job-creating sectors.
Mayor Brabin said: “Over the next five days, we’ll showcase our multimillion-pound healthtech investment zone, champion our Northern Square Mile of global financial and professional services firms, and create new export opportunities for our world-class manufacturers.”Sponsored
The mayor landed in Zurich, Switzerland, at the head of a 12-strong business delegation yesterday afternoon (Sunday, February 22), in a push to strike-up new export deals, secure inward investment, and solidify economic ties with some of Europe’s most advanced industrial regions.
The five-day trade mission – organised by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by KPMG – will see the delegation travel from Zurich in Switzerland to Karlsruhe, Heilbronn and Stuttgart in Germany.
Backed by the Government, the trade mission is designed to strengthen UK-European trade across three of the country’s most important export markets – financial and digital services, health technology, and advanced manufacturing – sectors which underpin thousands of jobs across Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield.
The businesses attending will have the opportunity to develop and deepen their trade relationships with Switzerland and Germany, boost their overseas exports and job creation back in West Yorkshire, and champion the high-growth sectors they are proud to represent on the international stage.
WYCA says a key objective of the visit is to promote opportunities for European investors to take part in West Yorkshire’s £160 million Healthtech Investment Zone, designed to accelerate innovation in medical technology, diagnostics and digital health.
The region’s internationally-significant strengths in clinical research, life sciences and health innovation – anchored by its seven universities – are being pitched as a natural partner to Switzerland’s unrivalled biotech ecosystem.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Europe is our most important trading partner, with investment from Swiss and German firms – and exports from our homegrown businesses – supporting thousands of good jobs in every part of our great region.
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“Now, thanks to devolution and our strong, public-private West Yorkshire partnership, we have the potential to go so much further.”
She added: “Together, we’ll build international relationships that will stand the test of time and help us build a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
