BUSINESS leaders have issued a rallying call to galvanise the North-East economy and create of thousands of jobs.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) and Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have come together to deliver a blueprint, which demands more regional powers to lure greater foreign investment to the area.

The organisations have launched the One Front Door campaign, saying the region must have a new team armed with sufficient muscle to provide overseas companies with a clearer path to the North-East.

The plans aim to build on existing successes in the area, such as Sunderland car maker Nissan, and train builder Hitachi Rail Europe, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

POWER TO THE NORTH - COMMENT

The Northern Echo understands the new investment body would work alongside and build upon the achievements of the area’s two local enterprise partnerships, Tees Valley Unlimited and the North East LEP, and the North East Combined Authority (Neca).

The move comes after The Northern Echo called for a united North in the aftermath of the General Election, to avoid being squeezed out of an economic power struggle by the South and Scotland.

It also follows the announcement that Stockton South MP James Wharton will take a lead role in overseeing the Government’s Northern Powerhouse, which aims to place the North at the heart of driving the UK economic recovery.

Bosses at the NECC and CBI, which collectively represent nearly 200,000 businesses, say a single regional investment team would strengthen the North-East’s image to investors, increase existing firms’ spending and allow closer work with the Government’s UK Trade and Investment body.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “We must maximise our potential as a world-class business location with world-class firms.

“It is vital inward investors receive a fully coherent approach, which makes the most of the opportunities that exist in all parts of the North-East.

“Regional geographical advantages are not being optimised, which include transport connections and proximity to specific sites, such as offshore oil, gas or wind energy zones, and there is also an absence of regional targets.

“The current approach must be amended, with greater regional expertise, more effective targeting and better links between national and regional agencies.”

As well as Nissan and Hitachi, the North-East has a number of other strong links with foreign companies.

They include Japanese digger maker Komatsu, which operates a UK site in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, employing about 400 workers, and Saudi Arabia-headquartered petrochemicals company Sabic, which employs hundreds of people on Teesside.

Alison Thain, CBI North-East chairwoman, said such high-profile names were a sign of the North-East’s business calibre.

But Ms Thain, who is also chief executive at housing association Thirteen Group, said more must be done.

She added: “The North-East has an impressive record of foreign direct investment, which has resulted in thousands of jobs for the region.

“Inward investment remains vital to driving local growth and delivering even more jobs, and a one front door approach will help us seize opportunities to promote our region to investors in key overseas markets.”

Reacting to the plans, a spokeswoman for Neca, which covers seven council areas, stretching from the Scottish border to the Tees, said it welcomed the plans.

She added: “One Front Door supports the earlier decision of Neca and the North East LEP to establish the Invest North East England Gateway.

“This offers a single entry for inward investors into the North East LEP area and, working with local councils, delivered 60 foreign investment projects, leading to the creation of 4,223 jobs during 2014/15.

“We recognise the importance of having a co-ordinated approach and we will continue to work with the Tees Valley LEP area where there is a mutual need to do so.”