Last Updated: Mar 5, 11:50 am
Category: OpenCities Projects
Open Cities has been working with Gateway to London, the Inward Investment agency for the eastern sphere of the London region, to develop proposals for a more global approach to inward investment in the region.
In November 2005, the Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership was tasked by Government with producing a framework for ‘the Gateway as a distinctive economic and social unit … to shape and guide investments, decision and actions … A framework which integrates economic, public service and housing development’. The interim product of this work was published on 22 November 2006, a costed more detailed version of which will comprise the basis for the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) submission to Government under the Comprehensive Spending Review.
The Policy Framework for the Interim Plan stated that: ‘The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), in common with other stakeholders see the need to create a pan-Gateway approach to marketing inward investment and development opportunities … We need a new pan-Gateway offer to secure a larger share of global inward investment. This means promoting the Thames Gateway brand much more vigorously in international markets … This needs strong leadership from government, the RDAs and the inward investment bodies they sponsor. It demands close cooperation with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).’ (Emphasis added.)
On the same day as the Interim Plan was published, the three RDAs published a Thames Gateway RDA Economic Statement. The report began by stating that ‘The three Greater South East RDAs agree strongly with the challenge for the Thames Gateway as outlined in the … Interim Plan.’ It aimed to set out in more detail how the RDAs would take forward the vision in the Interim Plan. The RDA statement went on to say that ‘Gateway partners will need to co-ordinate activity with Government and UKTI to … Develop a pan-Gateway inward investment and international business services offer.’ It concluded by highlighting a number of key propositions including its Proposition 3: ‘Government and the three Greater South East (GSE) RDAs should undertake major GSE international business services and international talent capture initiatives, operated within the regions by the three RDAs under a ‘single key’ arrangement with UKTI’.
