US Trade and Investment Envoy welcomed to region by Mayor Dr Nik Johnson

US Trade and Investment Envoy welcomed to region by Mayor Dr Nik Johnson

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, welcomed to the region the Rt Hon Sir Conor Burns MP, The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Regional US Trade and Investment. They discussed the region’s international reputation and plans to build on this in the future.

The Mayor and Sir Conor Burns discussed the benefits of fostering strong partnerships with US States with complementary economies to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The meeting also fitted in with  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s first ever appearance last week at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), the UK’s biggest trade and investment conference.

UKREiiF gathered more than 12,000 delegates, 1,500 investors, hundreds of local authorities, Government ministers, shadow ministers and senior Westminster officials. The Combined Authority sponsored an exhibition pavilion to ensure good representation and amplify the interests of the region nationally and globally.

One of the primary functions of the Combined Authority, as agreed in the 2017 Devolution Deal with Government, is to increase the size of the local economy, measured by Gross Value Added (GVA), to over £40 billion by 2040. This is a responsibility the Combined Authority does not take lightly, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Good growth in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will mean more opportunities for our residents to access quality jobs, an important factor to living happy, healthy lives.

A unified ‘Team Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’ approach was at the heart of preparing for UKREiiF, with close collaboration with local authorities, which also joined the Combined Authority as part of the team.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: “These international trade talks make clear Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s significance in the global economy. It was a pleasure to host the Rt Hon Sir Conor Burns MP, to discuss the range of challenges and opportunities across our region, and to jointly confirm the value of cooperation in our shared interests.”