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Ross Smith, Head of Policy and Research at the North-East Chamber of Commerce »
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Jonathan Wheatley from Stokesley-based MC Ware writes about IT matters »
Paul Williamson from Deloitte »It's hardly surprising that there's a lot of focus on what the future holds for Northern Rock and what the impact will be on the North East economy. It's an incredibly important business that we believe will continue to have a strong future here. But there's a danger that we start to convince ourselves and people in other regions that it is the only business in the North East and the key to our entire future.
But stand in most parts of the North East these days and throw a handful of gravel in the air and you'll probably hit half a dozen successful, growing companies. One of those is PD Teesport, which yesterday received the welcome news that its expansion has been given planning permission, paving the way for 5,500 new jobs.
There's still a challenge to the Government to make sure that the infrastructure around Teesport - particularly in regard to rail - is brought up to a suitable standard to make the expansion sustainable. For this reason, the Regional Spatial Strategy needs to be as positive as possible on this point.
But the signs are that this long-awaited development will now take place. It doesn't mean we should stop being concerned for Northern Rock. But it does mean we should recognise there's a lot of good news to celebrate as well.
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