Tories put off decision on Thames Gateway

Funding problems for Arab investors and a possible U-turn by the Conservatives makes for interesting times in Europe's largest regeneration zone.


Yesterday (December 16) the Conservatives blamed the recession as the party put off plans to publish a green paper, originally due in January or February, until after a general election.

The paper is due to clarify the Tories position on regional development agencies – something they’ve attacked in the past as undemocratic.

While even the wealth of Arab business leaders such as Dubai Ports World, backers of a £500m port and eco-innovation park in Thurrock, Essex, has been called into doubt.

Edie.net spoke to the managing director of Invest Thames Gateway, Gareth John, to hear the latest on the gateway and its future.

Watch the video here.

Mr John said: “From the Thames Gateway point of view both Labour and the Conservatives have committed to reviewing the expenditure on a capital and revenue basis … as an A political organisation we’ll work with whatever government is in place.”

On Dubai’s investments he added: “There’s a lot of confusion about this at the moment, you need to decouple Dubai World which is the property company in Dubai which has the problems, from Dubai Ports World which is a separate entity and a PLC in its own right.

“Dubai Ports World, we understand at the moment, has been ring fenced from the main Dubai World activity.”

Luke Walsh

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