THE Mersey Partnership is desperate to prove the £1m it was given to beef up its sales team last year will pay dividends in 2009.
TMP extended the begging bowl to local authorities for cash to create a team capable of attracting blue-chip companies to the region.
TMP director of investment, Mark Basnett, told LDP Business he was now “cautiously optimistic” that a more proactive approach to selling the region to investors would be translated into new business arrivals this year.
He said: “The quality of the companies in the pipeline is looking better than ever before. We have developed a proactive approach to inward investment, and as a result we are talking to companies of the highest quality.
“We know there are challenging economic conditions but Mersey-side’s low cost base is a strong card and has been elevated as a factor.
“We have hooked the interest of some potential investors and have a degree of cautious optimism that this can be converted into investment.”
Previously, TMP has been handicapped by limited funding for its sales team.
Last year, however, the region's six local authorities provided £1m in additional funding to stimulate investment. But other areas have more resources. Manchester’s inward investment agency, Midas, has a team of 12 and West Midlands has 15.
TMP chief executive Lorraine Rogers said the region’s enhanced product was another reason for confidence.
“We have a great product, the people, the skills, property, accessibility and a high quality of life. We are demonstrating that there is a real buzz here.”
TMP has also been able to get a foot-in-the-door with key company decision-makers who have been in the city for events at the BT Convention Centre.
The Partnership also claims the region’s former grant-dependency culture has been largely dismantled and that private businesses are no longer attracted simply because of the free hand-outs available under Objective 1.
The organisation cites the recent announcement of airline KLM starting flights out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport as evidence for the region’s increasing attractiveness.
The financial services, maritime and digital/creative sectors have been targeted for specific attention.
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