Regional Minister celebrates European Funding in Merseyside
Monday 20 July 2009
Phil Woolas, Regional Minister for the North West, visited Liverpool on Monday 20 July to meet business leaders from the private, public and third sectors to discuss how the North West is responding to the impact of the economic downturn. He also launched “eu&Merseyside”, a brochure celebrating the achievements of the last 14 years of European investment in the area.
Speaking at the launch, Phil Woolas said:
"Across Merseyside, Objective One has not only transformed the landscape, it has transformed the lives of around one third of a million people who have been given a leg up in their future careers through training.
Looking to the future, Objective One has put the Liverpool city region in a good place to help the region out of the recession. We now have the skills base, the universities, the transport links and the expertise in hi-tech industries in place and I sincerely believe the best is to come.”
Also on Monday, Phil Woolas chaired the 6th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) for the North West. The JEC was set up in November 2008 to ensure the region’s economy emerges from the current downturn stronger than before. He then met with representatives of the major regional banks to discuss how the banks can help small businesses and households in the North West through the recession
Following the meetings the Regional Minister commented:
"I am passionate about this region and I am thrilled to be representing it. The North West has much to offer - it’s the twelfth largest region in the European Union and is a great place to do business. Much of the infrastructure is in place to lead us out of recession and I was reassured at a meeting with major banks today that they are totally committed to continue to do good business in our region.”
