Prime minister Theresa May heard from an East Anglian business leader about how the government could work more closely with the region to drive growth.
Doug Field, chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), was at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, along with 31 of his peers, for the first council of LEP chairs with government ministers.
They discussed the challenges outlined in the government's Industrial Strategy, the opportunities and the skills shortage facing businesses.
Mr Field spoke about the East's clean energy sector, where £50bn will be invested by 2020, and how it can support the UK's ambition to lead the world in the development of low carbon technologies.
He said: "The government recognises the important work of LEPs across the country and the ministers were very keen to hear about the challenges being faced by local businesses, especially around skills.