The Midlands area will come together to showcase investment opportunities worth almost £10 billion at this year’s global property and real estate show MIPIM (13th-16th March, Cannes, France).
More than 70 public and private sector partners, 10 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas, and the Department for International Trade (DIT) will represent the region – the largest delegation Midlands UK has ever taken to the annual event.
The region will present details of the multi-billion pound portfolio to the exhibition’s 24,000 attendees, which will include potential investors, property agents, developers and media from more than 100 countries.
It is the second year that the Midlands region will work together to attract investment from around the world following a successful united presence at MIPIM 2017.
Destinations attending MIPIM as part of the Midlands UK delegation include Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire, Derby & Derbyshire, Greater Lincolnshire, Leicester & Leicestershire, The Marches, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, UK Central Solihull, West Midlands Combined Authority, City of Wolverhampton and Worcestershire.
The region’s presence is being coordinated by the West Midlands Growth Company, with key partners including Birmingham Airport and East Midlands Airport, global car giant Jaguar Land Rover and the Midlands Enterprise Universities Group.
A 200m² dedicated Midlands UK pavilion will showcase the region’s investment portfolio, with separate sections for each destination partner, and an event space to host a programme of more than 50 events, including presentations, receptions and panel discussions.
Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, said:
The Midlands UK delegation will show the world that the region is open for business. We are confident about the future and are ready to build on the Midlands commercial and trading history.
Where else can you find one of the fastest growing regions in the world, sitting at the heart of one of the world’s largest economies, with a bed of skills and infrastructure in which to grow your business.
By working together, Midlands UK will promote the region to investors and trade partners – delivering more growth, exports, jobs, and a better quality of life for those living in the region.
Johnathan Browning, Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
Coventry and Warwickshire has developed a strong presence at MIPIM for more than two decades through a partnership of private sector companies and the local authorities and we are delighted to support the Midlands to promote the wider region.
We are going to MIPIM at an exciting time after our successful bids for City of Culture 2021 and the new National Battery Manufacturing Development Facility, and both will bring regional benefits.
We all prosper from a strong region and it is vital we ensure the Midlands punches its weight on the global stage.
Andy Street, Mayor for the West Midlands, said:
We are proud to be a partner in the Midlands at MIPIM and excited about the unrivalled opportunities this event offers to promote the West Midlands as the most liveable, investable and competitive place in the UK.
The West Midlands is at the heart of the future of Britain. We are the largest regional economy with more business start-ups than anywhere else in the UK. We have unrivalled connectivity – with 90% of the UK’s market in reach within four hours. We are confident and we are winning.
The West Midlands’ time is now, and as part of the wider Midlands delegation to MIPIM we will maximise our opportunity to showcase our region to the world.
The Midlands UK area has a population of 10 million people – 15.4% of the UK – and an economy worth more than £200 billion economy. Last year, the Midlands UK region attracted 225 foreign direct investment projects, creating over 8,300 new jobs.