Tracy Brabin has launched a five-day commerce mission to Switzerland and Germany geared toward deepening financial ties, unlocking inward funding and creating new export alternatives for West Yorkshire companies.
The mayor arrived in Zurich on the head of a 12-strong enterprise delegation, marking the primary leg of a go to that can even soak up Karlsruhe, Heilbronn and Stuttgart. Organised by the West Yorkshire Mixed Authority and supported by KPMG, the mission focuses on three precedence sectors: monetary and digital companies, well being expertise and superior manufacturing.
Backed by the UK authorities, the journey is designed to strengthen commerce hyperlinks with two of Europe’s most superior industrial economies and assist 1000’s of jobs throughout Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield.
“Europe is our most necessary buying and selling companion,” Brabin stated. “Funding from Swiss and German companies, and exports from our homegrown companies, assist 1000’s of excellent jobs throughout our area.”
A key goal of the go to is to advertise West Yorkshire’s £160m Healthtech Funding Zone, which goals to speed up innovation in medical expertise, diagnostics and digital well being. The area’s seven universities and robust medical analysis base are being positioned as pure companions to Switzerland’s biotech ecosystem.
Delegates can even spotlight the power of Leeds as a monetary hub. Usually described because the “Northern Sq. Mile”, the area is house to 30,000 monetary {and professional} companies companies using nearly 300,000 individuals, with establishments together with the Financial institution of England and the Monetary Conduct Authority represented regionally.
The mayor is predicted to emphasize the alternatives created by the UK-Switzerland Berne Monetary Companies Settlement and up to date regulatory reforms geared toward boosting competitiveness.
Lucy Rigby, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, stated the mission signalled that the UK was “open for enterprise” and able to deepen European partnerships.
In Germany, discussions will centre on AI-enabled manufacturing and sustainable transport programs, areas the place Stuttgart and Karlsruhe are seen as world leaders.
West Yorkshire is making ready to launch its landmark Weaver Community in 2027, a significant transport integration programme, and is in search of to attract classes from Swiss and German experience in rail, engineering and concrete mobility.
Enterprise leaders on the journey say the mission presents entry to new markets and buyers. Carly Walter, chief govt of healthtech agency MAGI, stated collaboration with European companions would speed up product improvement and regulatory pathways. Representatives from digital companies together with The Knowledge Metropolis and sustainability consultancy NextGen Zero are additionally taking part.
The commerce mission types a part of West Yorkshire’s Native Progress Plan and leverages £2bn of devolved funding to draw further personal funding into transport, housing and abilities.
For Brabin, the message is obvious: West Yorkshire intends to place itself as an outward-looking, export-driven area competing on the worldwide stage, and sees nearer European ties as central to that ambition.
