Top Global Targets Set Out To Bring More Investment, Jobs And Growth To Tees Valley

A new hit list for international investment has been drawn up to target the countries, regions and industries most likely to bring new jobs, skills and growth to our region.

The region’s Inward Investment Strategy sets out how Tees Valley will pursue high-value UK and overseas opportunities from 2026 to 2031, sharpening the region’s offer to investors and focusing efforts on the markets where our region can compete, win and create opportunities.

Approved by the Tees Valley Mayor and Cabinet Members last week, the plan identifies priority international markets across Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, the USA and Canada.

This focuses on major opportunities in the chemicals and processing sector, clean energy, life sciences and biomanufacturing, advanced manufacturing, as well as digital and creative industries.

Top target markets include the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE linked to chemicals, sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure.

In Europe, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark are high on the target list given our shared strengths in advanced manufacturing, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, chemicals, sustainable aviation fuel, space and biomanufacturing.

The move comes after the recent agreement of the Tees Valley’s 10-year Local Growth Plan, which sets out a decade-long blueprint to deliver stronger growth, better jobs and improved skills and education across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.

This new strategy is a key pillar in delivering that plan which will work with partners to offer a clear, targeted offer for global investors, helping to land projects.

These projects will ultimately create good-quality employment, boost local supply chains, support training and apprenticeships, and grow the regional economy.

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 10-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.”

Looking to the Far East, Japan, South Korea and China are in our sights, linked to offshore wind, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, critical minerals, batteries, life sciences and biomanufacturing.

Across the Atlantic, targets in the United States and Canada include California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Alberta and British Columbia, given our push in digital and AI sectors, data centres, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy including civil nuclear, defence and aerospace, critical minerals and space.

The Tees Valley has already attracted £5.5billion of overseas investment and leaders want to build on its industrial sites, ports, utilities, development land, research centres and supply chains to secure the next wave of globally significant projects.

The strategy will help partners promote one clear Tees Valley offer, find and pursue new investor leads, and co-ordinate work around sites, infrastructure, skills, innovation and finance so businesses can invest, grow and succeed here.

Cllr Alec Brown, TVCA 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.”

To find out more about the investment opportunities in Tees Valley, go here: Invest – Business