Investors offered free North West desk space

A newly-launched ‘soft landing’ scheme called ‘Hello North West’ gives foreign companies the opportunity to test out markets before permanently relocating to the region.

Localised versions of the scheme called ‘Hello Liverpool’ and ‘Hello Manchester’ focus on maintaining the cities’ reputations as dynamic business hubs with internationally-recognised cultural communities.

The North West is well known for its friendly hospitality and welcoming population and we are also one of the best performing regions for foreign direct investment

Mark Hughes

Executive director of economic development

NWDA

Foreign-owned firms can take up the offer of one rent-free desk for 12 months at a range of key locations.

Mark Hughes, NWDA’s executive director of economic development, said: “The North West is well known for its friendly hospitality and welcoming population and we are also one of the best performing regions for foreign direct investment.

“The Hello service brings these two important characteristics together and should help us secure even more investment in future years which in turn will help grow our economy.”

According to a 2008 study, foreign direct investment (FDI) accounted for 17% of the region’s gross value added (GVA), and workers in overseas companies created almost 50% more economic output than the regional average.

The ‘Hello’ scheme was developed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), working with investment and development agencies for Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, MIDAS and The Mersey Partnership.

Leading serviced office providers Avanta, Bruntwood, Orega, Manchester Science Park, Liverpool Science Park and Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus were key partners in setting up the programme.

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