WHERE would the North-East economy be without investment from Japan?

God forbid there was ever a diplomatic incident between the two nations and the Japanese decided to sever economic ties with Britain. Japan-based companies support thousands of jobs in our region and there are more to come.

Yesterday, Vantec opened a warehouse beside the Nissan plant in Sunderland.

The warehouse has been built on part of the area that the Government last year designated as the North-East Enterprise Zone – meaning any firm building on it will benefit from tax breaks. The zones were established by the coalition to encourage new and expanding businesses.

Critics say the sites attract companies that were already planning to invest, and do not stimulate new growth.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles was among those claiming the zone was a key reason behind Vantec’s investment.

I understand that this isn’t the case and the Japanese firm had already decided to build the plant before the land was given enterprise zone status.

Is this yet another case of ministers claiming undue credit?

WELL done Middlesbrough Council for launching a campaign to raise the profile of manufacturing and engineering.

The Made in Middlesbrough scheme aims to promote the town’s engineering heritage around the world. My only quibble is with the logo, which features the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, a structure designed in Darlington by a Frenchman working for Cleveland Bridge and built by Sir William Arol and Co of Glasgow. Not quite Made in Middlesbrough, but I suppose Erected in Middlesbrough isn’t much of a slogan.

EARLIER this week I spotted a colleague on the Echo’s Sports Desk working his way through a punnet of strawberries.

“Strawberries in February, just think of the food miles – where did they come from?” I asked. “Asda in Spennymoor,” he replied.