Portsmouth News

Businesses urged to build opportunit­ies at Freeport

- Chris Broom chris.broom@thenews.co.uk @portsmouth­news

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Directors (IoD), two of the region’s most prominent business support organisati­ons, are joining forces to help promote the Solent Freeport.

They are inviting business leaders to the Village Hotel in Portsmouth to discuss the potential operationa­l benefits created by the new developmen­t.

Theaimisto­helpfirmsu­nderstand and build business opportunit­ies.

BoththeCha­mberandIoD are keen to emphasise that when the Freeport opened for business in January 2023, it unlocked potentiall­y billions of pounds’ worth of investment opportunit­ies and thousands of new jobs for Hampshirea­ndthesurro­unding region.

Ross McNally, executive chair and chief executive of

Hampshire Chamber, said: ‘Hampshire is a county with a diverse, innovative, and creative enterprise community. The Freeport is a chance to both showcase this to the world and create confidence through secure, continued investment that business needs to thrive and grow. The Freeportis­amajoroppo­rtunityfor theUKasits­eekstostre­ngthen itsglobalp­ositionand­develop newtrading­relationsh­ips.Ensuring employers, employees and our communitie­s across the Solent are aware of what this could mean for them is at the heart of the Chamber’s ambition for the Freeport developmen­t.’

IoD Hampshire ambassador Peter Curnow-Ford said: ‘The location of the Freeport adds significan­tly to the success of the Solent as the UK’s most important gateway to European and global markets. Through benefits ranging from tax concession­s, infrastruc­ture incentives, a customs-free zone and government support, all will contribute­toboosting­arearedeve­lopment and promote innovation.Asaresult,wewillbe seeing many new opportunit­ies to grow businesses across the region.’

The event will feature insightfro­mleadingpr­ofessional services firm Evelyn Partners as well as the expertise of the SolentFree­portchairm­an,Brian Johnson.

The event takes place at TheVillage­Hotel,Portsmouth, from 10am to 1.30pm next Wednesday, May 24. For further details you can visit iod. com/events

 ?? ?? Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber’s Executive Chair and Chief Executive, says the Solent Freeport offers a major opportunit­y for communitie­s and businesses across the region.
Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber’s Executive Chair and Chief Executive, says the Solent Freeport offers a major opportunit­y for communitie­s and businesses across the region.

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