Strategy maps out global investment push

A new international investment drive is targeting global markets and high-growth industries to bring more jobs and economic opportunities to the Tees Valley.

The region’s Inward Investment Strategy sets out how overseas and UK opportunities will be pursued between 2026 and 2031, with a focus on sectors where leaders believe the area can attract further investment.

Approved by the Tees Valley mayor and cabinet, the strategy identifies priority markets across Europe, the Middle East, Far East, United States and Canada.

Target sectors include chemicals and processing, clean energy, life sciences and biomanufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and digital and creative industries.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are among Middle Eastern priorities, while Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark feature prominently in Europe.

Japan, South Korea and China have been identified as Far Eastern targets, with opportunities spanning offshore wind, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, critical minerals, batteries and life sciences.

Across North America, the strategy highlights locations including California, Texas, Washington, Alberta and British Columbia, targeting sectors ranging from AI and data centres to nuclear, defence, aerospace and space.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “We have never been short of ambition – but ambition only matters if it turns into jobs, investment and real opportunities for local people.

“This strategy is about being sharper, bolder and more focused in the way we sell our region’s strength to the world. 

“We know the industries where we are strong, we know the countries and regions where the biggest opportunities sit, and we know what investors need to make major projects happen.

“Our ten-year Local Growth Plan sets out the future we want: more good jobs, better skills and education, stronger businesses and more money coming into the region.

“Winning investment from the right global markets is absolutely central to delivering this – and this plan sets out what we’ll be doing to get this done.”

The Tees Valley has attracted £5.5 billion of overseas investment to date, with the new approach designed to build on the region’s industrial sites, ports, infrastructure, research centres and supply chains.

It follows the agreement of the Tees Valley’s ten-year Local Growth Plan covering Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.

The strategy aims to create a more coordinated regional offer to investors while supporting jobs, local supply chains, training and apprenticeships.

Councillor Alec Brown, Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member for inward investment and tourism, added: “Investors do not choose places by accident. 

“They choose places clear about their strengths, confident in their offer and ready to move quickly.

“Tees Valley has world-class assets in chemical, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital and biomanufacturing sectors.

“By matching our strengths with targeted work in Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, the United States and Canada, we can bring more investment into our towns, help local firms win more work and create the skilled jobs our people deserve.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.