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Digital companies will drive the region's growth, says Mandelson
LORD Mandelson said yesterday that innovation by Yorkshire's digital companies will equip the region for the future and drive growth in the 21st century.
The Business Secretary visited Shipley to officially open the new offices of the Advanced Digital Institute, a publicly-funded company that provides research, development and business support to high-tech enterprises.
He told an audience of businesspeople: "This region was the heart of Britain's original industrial revolution and the sorts of innovation we are seeing here today are about this region equipping itself for the next and future industrial revolutions to come.
"I am a passionate champion of modern 21st century industrial policy; not government doing the job of business; not government trying to replicate the proper workings of markets; but government acting in partnership with the private sector and making sure markets work better.
"The sorts of technologies that we are unleashing now – and harnessing business initiative to here – is going to drive our growth in the 21st century. We need to work together to build manufacturing and service offers on the back of these technologies."
He said the impact of the financial crisis has "taken its toll" on Yorkshire's manufacturing and financial services industries. Lord Mandelson added: "Nonetheless the fundamentals are strong. The core is intact. The skills have not dispersed. All these things remain here for you to rebuild."
He said there are huge opportunities for digital companies in growing markets in fast-expanding emerging economies.
"Lots of people out there want to hear from British business, British expertise and the British ability to add value. That's the challenge for us: to do that we need platform industries like these driven by technology and communication, which is why I am now thrilled to be launching the ADI. This is a powerful investment in the future."
Speaking afterwards about the recession, Lord Mandelson told the Yorkshire Post: "We are seeing the end of the worst but severity is not yet behind us.
"The government is doing everything it can to blunt the impact of this recession and to shorten it."
Yesterday's event was attended by many of ADI's customers, including businesses from the growing telehealth sector.
Yorkshire Forward has provided funding for the institute, which is next to Salts Mill.
Linda Pollard, deputy chairwoman of the regional development agency, said: "With the help of businesses on the ground, we can ensure this valley is developed from the successful Creative Corridor, as it is now known, to a corridor of opportunity for everyone and everything."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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