Swedish Delegation visits Seeda
3 December 2008A 16-strong delegation of Trade and Industry chiefs from the Stockholm region has recently concluded a week-long visit to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
The key purpose of the trip was to learn from SEEDA’s work in operating across local and county borders to develop the region’s economy as a whole, and to open up potential investment opportunities between the two regions for the future. The visit took in trips to social enterprises in Brighton and the Gunwharf Quays regeneration project in Portsmouth, as well as meetings with SEEDA personnel, business leaders and Garry Peltzer Dunn, Mayor of Brighton.
Stockholm has been named by the OECD as one of the most competitive regions under its aegis, and generates one-third of the total economic growth of Sweden. It ranks highly in global league tables of innovation and knowledge-based economic growth – as does South East England – and therefore this visit presents an exciting opportunity to open up a relationship that could prove lucrative for both regions in the long-term.
SEEDA aims to collaborate with municipalities of the Stockholm Region through the POWER Interregional Programme, part funded through INTERREG IVC, to find innovative ways of delivering low carbon economies.
Delegation leader Anders Nordberg, of the Stockholm County Administrative Board, said:
"SEEDA represents a very interesting interaction between national, regional and local levels, and from what we’ve observed in our week here this relationship seems to be working very well. The similarities between our two regions mean we have a golden opportunity to learn from each other, and we look forward to further cooperation in the future."
SEEDA Board Member Alex Pratt OBE concluded:
"I was delighted to discover the many similarities, and especially shared interests between the Stockholm Region and the South East of England. Both our regions have a strong knowledge base with resilient businesses and highly skilled people who are driving innovation and momentum in the current economic downturn. In particular we look forward to exchanging best practice to assist innovative companies in our regions in getting their ideas to market quickly whilst protecting their intellectual property globally."
Notes to Editors
SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, is the Government-funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England – the driving force of the UK economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.
For media enquiries, please contact:
James Fulker, Press Officer, SEEDA Communications,
Phone: 01483 484 200
Email: pressoffice@seeda.co.uk
For more information please contact our press office
Tel: 01483 470155
