Alok Sharma's Westminster Diary: July 12 2012

Published 13 Jul 2012 09:00 1 Comment

MORE than 70 companies attended the seminar Newbury MP Richard Benyon and I organised at the Madejski Stadium to help small and medium sized businesses interested in increasing their exports or looking to export for the first time.

The excellent turnout says a lot about why the Thames Valley is a real economic powerhouse and it is no surprise that we lead the way in increasing exports. What was clear is that local businesses want more such events, especially learning from the experiences of other local companies, and we hope to organise a follow-up event in the autumn.

On Tuesday evening I was back at the Madejski Stadium to celebrate, along with thousands of others, the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay's arrival in Reading. It was a great event and all of us who know and admire Quentin Gunderson for his work at the education charity TLG Reading, were incredibly proud when he carried the torch in and lit the cauldron which housed the flame overnight. The London Olympics are building into a great national and international celebration.

We have shown beyond doubt that Britain is competent in delivering projects of Olympic size on time and under budget, without sacrificing quality, greatly enhancing our national reputation.

The biggest area of industrial wasteland within the M25 has been completely redeveloped, including the creation of the largest new urban park in Europe. And the Olympics has already created 40,000 jobs, with a further 20,000 expected in the Westfield Shopping Centre and 8,000 in the park.

In Beijing, Team GB came a very respectable fourth in the table for both total medals and the number of golds. With lots more home grown talent taking part this year, expectations of a very decent medal haul are high.

For those lucky enough to get tickets it will be a remarkable and unforgettable experience.

The rest of us must make do with television coverage. Either way, it should be an excellent summer of sport.

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  dianapax
  2 posts
  Jul 13, 20:39
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  Congratulations Alok ,what a wonderful idea.I am sure it will"bear fruit"
  
  I particularly like the fact that Richard Benyon and you feel that you can work together when it is appropriate. I know you cant formally encroach on each others territory, but this sort of enterprise shows the right spirit.
  
  I am proud of my MP [ you] and like having West Berks as my Local Council.
  
  I know you will carry on with the good work.
  
  Pax
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

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