'Eastern Powerhouse' formed to create strong unified voice and attract greater investment
It defines itself as a non-political and business-led body that wants to emulate the success achieved by similar regional groups
A new region wide organisation has been formed to try and attract investment to East Anglia and unlock it's potential.
The 'Eastern Powerhouse', which officially launches next Tuesday, defines itself as a non-political and business led body that wants to emulate the success achieved by similar groups in the North and Midlands.
It's being chaired by James Palmer, the former mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
He explained to us why the organisation was formed and what it hopes to achieve:
"We're bigger than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of population and we have a significant input into the UK economy. However, those of us who have lived here for longer than we care to mention and some of us who have lived here for slightly less time, are aware of the poor infrastructure and the lack of investment into health and education compared to other areas.
What we are asking for and saying is, invest in the East because you'll get a return on your investment, a significantly different ask to some parts of the country where deprivation may well be worse than it is in the East. We're promoting the East as somewhere to do business, somewhere to invest and see return in, whether that be from Government or from international investors- we're happy as long as it's sustainable development".
He told us that they've had very positive conversations with local people, so far:
"Those businesses that we've spoken to can see an opportunity for them and the East as well. They can see that while they may be thriving in the East, there are things that can be done to make the area one for greater opportunity.
We are a great place to do business, the East is a great place to live and go on holiday. I'm very confident that the East can rise and be more powerful than it is already. This means that the people who live here get better opportunities, that's the best thing about this and the whole point of it".