BUSINESS groups across Kent, Medway and the south east have teamed up to give them a louder voice in the corridors of power.

The South East Business Forum - SEBUS - brings together the Confederation of British Industry, South East Chambers of Commerce, EEF South, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

This collaboration aims to influence the economic development of the region and help give it a world class economy. Backers say the new collective voice "will have the ability to substantially resonate in the corridors of power".

Individually, SEBUS members have worked with organisations such as the South East England Regional Development Agency (SEEDA), the regional assembly (SEERA), and the Government Office for the South East.

But they believe their collective strength will lead to closer dialogue and a clearer understanding of the issues faced by businesses of all sizes. Each organisation will chair SEBUS for six months in rotation.

Inaugural chairman Roger House, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "Each of the members already produces significant pieces of business research and consultative responses that already present a compelling argument to government and its various agencies to act upon.

"As an exercise in collaboration, the Forum will provide opportunities for business engagement hitherto unachievable. Ministers, senior regional and local government officers and politicians alike will benefit from access to this major business reference point."