A project to create an economic powerhouse in the West of Britain to rival the Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse has been given the go ahead to create a board.
The Western Gateway is a plan to boost local economies by encouraging cross-border collaboration between authorities on either side of the Bristol Channel that was launched in November 2019.
Katherine Bennett, the project's chair, said there were also plans in the pipeline to set up an all-party parliamentary group to help move the partnership forward.
The Airbus boss said she had already had "some conversations” with MPs and Welsh Assembly members.
“Let’s not fool ourselves, this is not going to be an easy task and it’s not going to happen overnight,” said Ms Bennett, who was speaking to 150 business and political leaders on a video call set up by chambers of commerce Business West.
“The only way we can do that I feel is by us having a leadership group and with business alongside us and endeavour to show how this western part of the 海角视频, that we're all so happy and proud to both live and work in, can contribute to the nation’s wealth.”
The project is also looking for “business ambassadors” to become part of an advisory group.
Ms Bennett said: “We do believe we have a lot of great things going for us. As a business leader, I have a passionate belief that business often follows business and I am so keen to get a load of business ambassadors working alongside me.”
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Delivering the vision could add more than £56billion to the 海角视频 economy by 2030 and help the region achieve a net-zero future, according to the organisations behind the initiative.
Proposals include boosting the region’s digital connectivity to drive sustainable transport, creating a global gateway for export and investment, and driving innovation.
In February, the project launched a new website and prospectus explaining the cross-border initiative.
Ms Bennett said the team behind the project would analyse all the work that had already been done and pull together a “really strong” economic case.
Next steps for Western Gateway
- Consult with partners to create full vision document and develop ambitions
- Carry out an independent economic review building on evidence from local industrial strategies and city region economic strategies
- Develop detailed outline business case propositions for major investments the Western Gateway wants from government and international investors
- Implement governance review recommendations if possible
- Forge partnerships with other regional powerhouses
- Set up all-party parliamentary group
- Continue to press for support for economic recovery
“We have a region that has a highly energised business community engaged and focused on the strategic challenges we face post Covid-19," said James Durie, chief executive of Business West.
"We know business wants to do this and is so ambitious for this region. They know we need this part of the country heard in Whitehall and its role properly recognised and understood as part of the national conversation."
Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said the challenge for those involved would be “speaking with one voice”.
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Former Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said at the launch of the initiative in November: "The Western Gateway will provide an arena for the joint strengths of two neighbouring areas with distinct identities and traditions to be harnessed.
”South Wales and the West of England already form a natural economic region with excellent transport networks in road and rail and well-established links in business, industry and education.
“The region can be a true powerhouse of the 海角视频 economy if we take this opportunity to galvanise its many strengths to generate ideas, innovation and entrepreneurship in order to stimulate jobs and growth."