In his New Year message Asif Hamid aid both the public and private sectors in the Liverpool city region would work together to understand the implications of Brexit. Tony McDonough reports
Britain’s departure from the European Union is set to dominate businesses decisions for “years to come”, says Liverpool City Region LEP chair Asif Hamid.
In his New Year message Mr Hamid, who is also boss of Merseyside call centre operator The Contact Company, said both the public and private sector in the city region would work together to understand the implications of Brexit.
“There is no doubt that the issue of Brexit has been a dominant force throughout 2017, and is something that will continue to dominate business decisions in 2018 and for a number of years to come,” he said.
“As portfolio lead for Business and Brexit for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority we will ensure we continue to draw on local expertise and involve public, private, higher education and third sector stakeholders in developing our understanding of the implications of Brexit and what responses the city region should develop.”
Last week we reported how the city’s region’s maritime sector, led by industry body Mersey Maritime, had taken part in discussions with high-ranking Government officials over the UK’s post-Brexit strategy.
Mr Hamid added that continued collaboration across the city region would ensure we take advantage of a growing economy. He said: “We can certainly look back on 2017 with a sense of achievement.
“Despite the uncertainties over Brexit, the Liverpool city region economy has continued to perform well. Recent ONS figures show that business start-up numbers have continued to grow, resulting in more than 2,500 additional recorded businesses in the last year.
“Job numbers have also increased by almost 10,000, with more than 80% of these created in the private sector.”
On the devolution agreement with Government that saw the city region elect its first ever Metro Mayor, Mr Hamid said: “Having a Combined Authority and an elected Metro Mayor with devolved resources and powers from central government has put the city region in the driving seat of our own economic future.
“A future where we, as a city region, are working together to harness the many talents of our community, to stimulate business growth, drive productivity, create new jobs, upskill our people and attract new investment.”