The East of England is one of the largest and most diverse regions in the
UK. It contains a number of distinctive cities, large towns, a significant
rural landscape and is home to around a fifth of England's market
towns.
With a population of 5.7 million as at mid-2007, the region has one of the
strongest and fastest growing economies in the UK. In 2007 the economy was
worth £107 billion and was home to over 400,000 businesses making it
the third largest economy in the UK.
The East of England is distinctive in having a significant concentration of
internationally important businesses engaged in Research and Development
which spent £4.4 billion on R&D in 2007, representing 27 per cent
of the UK total, and the highest figure for any English region.
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) plays a key role as
coordinator and delivery agent of programmes that contribute to regional
economic growth, in pursuit of its mission to improve the economy of the
East of England.
Further information about EEDA is available from its website www.eeda.org.uk
