Businesses and local councils have joined forces to shape the future prosperity of south Essex - six months after they formed an economic partnership to spruce up trade in the region.

The South East Essex Economic Group, consisting of members from Southend Borough Council and Castle Point and Rochford district councils and local businessmen, aims to pool efforts to boost business.

This includes developments in e-commerce and links between websites in the county.

Southend Council's economic development officer, Vivien Byczynski said: "The three councils are working together so we don't duplicate each others' work. We are working towards one goal.

"And that it is to improve trade in the area. A lot more can be achieved if we work together, and this can only be good for the local economy."

More than 200 company bosses turned out at Southend Civic Centre to throw their weight behind the ten-year action plan when it was launched six months ago.

Since then several projects have been launched, including:

l An e-commerce roadshow, in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry

l A half-day seminar about call centres, including how to train staff in this area

l A directory of voluntary services

l Research into an events guide for South East Essex, in which websites for Southend, Castle Point and Rochford would be linked.

All businesses participating in the scheme will be brought back together in October for the annual "stakeholder conference", when the group outlines what has been achieved. Plans for the following year will also be discussed.

For more information call Vivien Byczynski on 01702 215538.

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