Yesterday (28th July), Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) visited the North East Technology Park, NETPark, in Sedgefield, an exciting new ecosystem for high-value technology and advanced manufacturing.
Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield accompanied the BEIS minister on today’s whistle-stop tour of one of the UK’s premier science, engineering and technology parks. Paul is a regular visitor to the high-tech innovation and manufacturing complex and has seen, first-hand, the innovative businesses that are world-leaders in scientific and technological development.
Paul Howell, Member of Parliament for Sedgefield, said: “The North East has a tradition of technological excellence and our future shines brightly with the businesses based at NETPark. They are at the forefront of research, development and innovation and are committed to generating ultra-high value manufacturing jobs in the region.
“It has been an absolute delight to share the NETPark experience with Kwasi and I can see he shares my enthusiasm for the collaborative network that exists for NETPark companies and how the local networks link into several national and international networks,”
The Secretary of State for BEIS, Kwasi Kwarteng commented: “I would like to thank Sarah Slaven from Business Durham and the teams from Kromek, Evince, Filtronic and PragmatIC Semiconductor, who gave me a warm County Durham welcome and showed me an exemplar for collaboration, innovation, cutting edge technology and manufacturing in the UK. It was also great to see that the new leadership of Durham County Council are looking at further investments in NETPark.
“NETPark and the wider north-east location have multi-level benefits for investors who will appreciate the assets and the unique core skill base in this region of the UK.”
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “We were delighted to join Paul Howell MP in welcoming Kwasi Kwarteng to NETPark to demonstrate why it is one of the UK’s premier science, engineering and technology parks – home to a variety of exciting, innovative and cutting-edge businesses developing high-value products with global social and economic impact.
“It was great for the Secretary of State to visit some of the companies on the park and hear from managers and staff at companies like Evince, Kromek and Filtronic why County Durham – potentially UK City of Culture 2025, is such an excellent place to live, work and visit.
“We were very pleased to use the opportunity to showcase our plans and make the case for further government support for innovation and investment in NETPark and County Durham as a whole; to help us attract more businesses as part of our commitment to delivering more and better jobs for our residents.”
Source: Paul Howell MP
Posted in: Digital and Tech, Life Sciences