MIPIM 2013: Birmingham showcases international connectivity credentials
BIRMINGHAM will be promoting its growing national and international links – with the aim of securing new investment and more direct routes into the city – at two important events this month.
Delegations from the city will be attending MIPIM, the world’s largest real estate exhibition, in Cannes, France, this week and Routes Asia in Mumbai, India, from March 17-19, which brings together key aviation leaders.
Both events will offer Birmingham the opportunity to underline the extensive developments that are expanding its transport infrastructure, which promise to transform the city into a truly international gateway.
Major schemes under the spotlight at the international exhibitions include the £65m Birmingham Airport runway extension, opening in early 2014, which will allow aircraft to fly directly to long-haul destinations including China, South America, South Africa and the west coast of the US.
In addition, the £600m redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station will welcome more than 52m passengers each year to the city. The first half of the new station concourse opens to passengers next month.
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We believe we are investing more in our infrastructure, connectivity and civic development than any other UK city right now.
“Growing our road, rail and air links will showcase Birmingham to a greater audience than ever before. The importance of this infrastructure cannot be underestimated – by making it even easier for international companies to use Birmingham as their European base.”
Led by the city’s inward investment programme Business Birmingham, MIPIM will unite 18 organisations from the city’s public and private sectors. The exhibition will welcome nearly 20,000 visitors across four days – starting tomorrow -, ranging from international investors to property experts and prominent business leaders.
Among the key topics on the city’s MIPIM schedule are three discussions focusing on Birmingham’s ambitious transport plans. These include the impact of HS2 Phase Two on closing the north-south divide, the potential for Birmingham Airport’s runway extension to attract international investment, and how connectivity is helping to regenerate the city’s Eastside district.
Birmingham Airport, supported by strategic marketing partnership Marketing Birmingham, will be attending Routes Asia to inform influential aviation decision makers of its major investment programme. The city’s delegation will meet with Asian airlines and tourism authorities to discuss establishing new direct flights to Birmingham.
Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport, said: “The best way to promote the airport and the city to new carriers, tourism bodies and investors looking for new UK markets is to directly meet and discuss opportunities.
“Through working collaboratively with key partners like Marketing Birmingham we’re demonstrating the region’s ambition and commitment to connect with the world and showcase Birmingham as the UK’s premier city where people can meet, visit and invest.”
Birmingham’s profile as a leading European business destination continues to grow. International locations magazine Site Selection listed Birmingham as the fourth most attractive city in Western Europe in its Best to Invest rankings – making it the only English city in the top ten, and beating the likes of Paris, Brussels and Berlin.
Neil Rami, chief executive of Marketing Birmingham – which operates Business Birmingham – added: “We have developed a very competitive business case around why international investors and airlines should operate in Birmingham.
“From our new infrastructure to the city’s comprehensive support networks and the sheer scale of our regional economy, Birmingham provides an environment for companies to grow.”
The city is now focused on attracting inward investment from markets including North America, India, Germany, Australia and China. Following a targeted marketing campaign, North America now makes up over 40% of Business Birmingham’s overseas investment pipeline.
