The northern UK’s economic heartland is centred around Manchester and Liverpool. This is the country’s second-largest regional economy, responsible for over 7% of the UK’s GNP.
Manchester has a highly successful life sciences & health sector and its MediaCityUK is one of Europe’s largest media hubs. Liverpool boasts a major logistics centre (and is the UK’s largest port, after London). It is also one of the country’s cultural centres. After several difficult years the North West has managed to turn the tide, and the region now has a growing economy in which there is significant investment.
The Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Manchester is part of the Netherlands’ economic network in the UK. The NBSO is pleased to help Dutch companies with any questions about doing business in the UK, especially in the northern regions. Please feel free to contact us without obligation.
North West

Economy
Total output (GDP), 2019 |
£212 billion |
GDP per head |
£28,449 |
Businesses
Number of businesses, 2020 |
528,225 |
Annual % change in businesses, 2020 |
-6.0% |
Import (2019)
- Value goods from the world: £33.8 billion
- Value goods from the Netherlands: £3 billion
- Main partners: European Union, Asia & Oceania, North America
- Main products: machinery & transport, miscallaneous manufactures, chemicals, food & live Animals, mineral fuels
Export (2019)
- Value goods from the world: £24.3 billion
- Value goods from the Netherlands: £1.5 billion
- Main partners: European Union, Asia & Oceania, North America
- Main products: machinery & transport, chemicals, miscallaneous manufactures, manufactured goods, food & live animals
