Foreign Investment Driven by Region’s Strengths

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is forging stronger ties with China in a bid to attract investment to the region.

Thanks to North Yorkshire’s rich history in farming, fishing, and food production, representatives from Invest in York and North Yorkshire showcased how the future of agriculture could be shaped in the region. This recognition comes after York and North Yorkshire was singled out as the premier location to spearhead the agri-tech sector by the Department for Business and Trade.

Tracey Taylor-Preston, the development relationship manager for the Agri-Tech and Industrial Biotechnology sector at Invest in York and North Yorkshire, highlighted the region’s expertise in controlled-environment agriculture and horticulture. She stated, “Our region’s proficiency in this domain led the Department for Business and Trade to designate us as the hub for such advancements. Our robust research and development capabilities, coupled with access to over 30 distribution centres and supply chain integration, have played a pivotal role in earning this recognition.”

As York and North Yorkshire welcomed Meilin Yei, Head of Agri-Tech and Sustainability at the Department for Business and Trade in Shanghai, collaborative efforts are already underway to realise Mayor David Skaith’s vision of driving growth in six key sectors:
– Industrial biotechnology
– Agri-tech
– Manufacturing
– Creative and Digital
– Rail
– Healthy ageing

This visit marks the second international engagement in a short span, following the recent delegation of Polish biotech companies received by the Mayor as they explored opportunities to expand their operations into the UK. Reflecting on the visit, Mayor Skaith remarked, “I have witnessed the remarkable innovation happening across York and North Yorkshire, with numerous organisations making significant strides to address health challenges in the UK and beyond. Our region stands at the forefront of this sector, boasting a wealth of research and development resources, support entities, and networks. It is time for us to exude confidence, set ambitious goals, and champion the businesses and organisations in our region to unlock our full potential and attract more investments from international markets into York and North Yorkshire.”

Image credit: iStock