MP
Tells Chambers Of Trade That “Essex Is Open For Business”
Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently attended the annual combined meeting of the Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford Chambers of Trade, and stressed as its theme that “Essex is open for business”.
Mark, who dashed back from a debate in the House of Commons on reforming the Common Fisheries Policy, made it back in time to address a combined meeting of around 60 local businessmen where he talked about support for small businesses from the coalition government, and also some of the challenges facing local firms in the current tough economic climate. Mark was keen to stress some of the major developments taking place in South Essex at present, including the development of the London Gateway Port by DP Ports World; the expansion at Southend Airport and the associated industrial parks nearby; the recent opening of the £38 million Basildon Sporting Village, and also the major opportunity being offered by the forthcoming Olympic Games. On the latter point, Mark highlighted that local firm, Seetec in Hockley, have won a contract to recruit some 8000 staff who will work in the nearby shopping mall at Stratford, which will be the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe, and which should help provide considerable number of jobs for people in South Essex.
Speaking about the meeting with key members of the South Essex business community Mark commented:
“Despite the challenging economic climate there are real opportunities for business in Essex at present. We are seeing a number of major development programmes come to fruition, which should help to provide both growth and employment for people living across the county. As someone who used to run his own business myself (and who can remember filling in a VAT form at 1:00am in the morning) I know that it can be tough for small businesses, particularly in conditions such as these. However, I also believe that Essex is an entrepreneurial county with a great sense of spirit, and that was evident among a number of the businessmen I met at the combined meeting of the three chambers. Essex really is open for business and I’m sure that our local entrepreneurs will continue to prove that in the year ahead.