North East businesses confident about the future
NORTH East businesses are confident about their future, according to survey results released today.
More than 90 per cent (94 per cent) of companies asked said that they felt optimistic about the future, suggesting that confidence is returning to the region’s business community.
The survey revealed that businesses felt that support would be critical in helping them to tap into opportunities both in domestic and overseas markets. And assistance in the form of workshops and events to share knowledge and bring businesses together, polled high on the wish lists of businesses questioned following the North East’s largest business-to-business event, Business Exchange North East.
More than 70 per cent (71.2 per cent) of companies asked said that more targeted support would help them to grow their enterprise, while 89.6 per cent said that events like Business Link’s Business Exchange North East had made a positive difference to their business.
Alastair MacColl, chief executive of Business & Enterprise North East (BE-NE), the company that delivers the Business Link service in the region, said: “Business Exchange North East has always been a very popular event, attracting hundreds of businesses each day.
“The views and opinions of those who attended act as a great indicator of the general mood in the business community and give a real sense of the issues and concerns that enterprises – big and small – have.
“The sense of optimism that the survey reveals is certainly positive, and shows that businesses in the region believe that they are starting to pull through. At Business Link, we are working hard to ensure that companies get tangible, ongoing support that will help them to develop and grow, while stimulating economic growth in the region.”
Business Link is the primary access point for businesses in the North East, delivering support to more than 32,000 businesses each year. The survey was taken after Business Exchange North East, which is sponsored by Business Link and was held on March 8 and 9 at The Sage Gateshead. Business Exchange North East attracted businesses from right across the region.
For more information about forthcoming Business Link events, visit www.eventsnortheast.co.uk.
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