Public and private sector bodies from the North East will be heading to the world’s top property fair after a two-year gap, in a bid to sell the region to potential global investors.
A delegation led by Invest Newcastle will be at the Mipim property fair in Cannes, France, in March, to highlight opportunities for companies to set up and bring jobs to the North East.
The massive event - which attracts property specialists and investors from around the world, as well as delegations from major cities and regions - has not been held in its normal format since 2019 due to the pandemic.
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Newcastle City Council’s new chief executive Pam Smith will be leading the North East delegation, which will also have representatives from bodies such as the North of Tyne Combined Authority, Business Durham and Invest North East England.
Ms Smith said: “I’m looking forward to representing the region at Mipim and showcasing why Newcastle is such a spectacular place to live, work and invest. It is great news, after so long, to see the region coming together at such an opportune time, to show the North East in its best light.”
The four-day event has been used in the past to sell some of the region’s major development sites, including the Helix science and business park and the Stephenson Quarter development in Newcastle.
Developments around the North East will be showcased at this year’s Mipim. The region will also be highlighting its leading abilities in areas such as carbon net zero, smart cities and healthy placemaking.
As well as public sector groups, companies committed to joining the Newcastle delegation including Avison Young, GT3 Architects, Ryder Architecture, Naylors Gavin Black, The Hanro Group, Union Property, Todd Milburn and Broadoak Asset Management.
Jennifer Hartley, director of Invest Newcastle, said: “There could not be a more opportune time for Newcastle and the wider region to promote our development opportunities on the global stage.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have seen several significant, strategic, and transformational investments, including: the BBC’s £25m investment into the region, two gigabit vehicle battery plants in Sunderland and in Blyth, works beginning for the landmark £300m+ NewcastleGateshead Quays development, and the £305m investment into Newcastle United Football Club which put us in the international spotlight and cemented confidence in our region as a place to invest.
“Over 90% of Europe’s major cities have signed up for Mipim and we haven’t been able to sell the city on an international scale for over two years, so it is vital that we continue to profile our region and its strengths to the international property world.”
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