THE Liverpool ECHO Enterprise Champions Awards finalists represent the UK's newest natural resource.
In an age when the developing world is increasingly competing with the West by offering cheaper manufacturing and service industries, we need to identify a niche where we can excel.
And Evan Davis, presenter of BBC2's hit Dragons' Den business programme and the BBC economics editor, believes that entrepreneurs like our finalists are the future.
He said: "Britain needs to manufacture ideas as success-fully as it used to manufacture textiles or automobiles."
Hailing our entrepreneurs, who will be honoured at tomorrow's final at the Albert Dock's Pan Am, he added: "They are one of the all-important sources of new ideas we have and the companies they create are the means by which ideas are turned into value.
"Their companies can turn a profit, they can grow and prosper and they may eventually be sold. Whatever path success takes, it is how our economy pays its way.
"The higher share prices apparently help us all, by funding future pensions. For real long term success though, Britain needs to ensure that it constantly creates more new companies and more value."
And that is why we need to nurture more people like our Enterprise Champions Awards finalists to put their faith in their ability and create new businesses and business ideas.
* Liverpool ECHO Enterprise Champions Awards take place at the Pan Am bar and restaurant tomorrow evening, June 28. The Dragons' Den team can be contacted through their website at www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden, email at dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or by phone on 09011 110825.
YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
