AN organisation which was set-up to boost Yorkshire's economy has been praised for its achievements.
A report by the Department of Trade and Industry said that during the financial year 2003/04, Yorkshire Forward created, or safeguarded, 16,544 jobs.
It attracted 730 new businesses, pulled in more than £75m of private investment and reclaimed 141 hectares of brownfield land.
Industry and Regions Minister Jacqui Smith said: "These excellent results show that Yorkshire Forward is making a real difference to economic development in the region.
"This is good news for everyone and a credit to the hard work and dedication of the agency and their partners across the region."
Terry Hodgkinson, chairman of Yorkshire Forward, said the figures were the best recorded by the organisation and far exceeded its targets in many cases.
The regional development for Yorkshire and the Humber was launched in 1999.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article