Confidence among manu-facturers and engineering firms is on the rise according to exhibitors at one of the region’s leading trade shows.
Well over 100 firms packed into the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe today for the Durham Oktoberfest among a growing optimism over the region’s economy.
Angelika Schneider, the lead Lib Dem candidate for the North East in next year’s European elections, toured the show and welcomed the upbeat mood.
She said: “It is really encouraging that all the firms I spoke to reported an improvement in trading conditions. While there is clearly some way to go, the view I heard time and again was that we have started to turn the corner.
“It was also striking to see the number of companies for which exports make up a large part of their business, up to 95% in some cases. It further emphasises the importance of the UK remaining part of the EU so that these companies can continue to grow and create more jobs.”