Bank combines with Birmingham Airport to highlight Midlands investment opportunities

A BIRMINGHAM-based bank is collaborating with Birmingham Airport to promote the city – and the advantages of carrying out business there – to investors in the Middle East.

The CEO of Al Rayan Bank, Sultan Choudhury, and Brand Ambassador for Birmingham Airport, Uday Dholakia, are spearheading the initiative, which is aimed at key markets such as Qatar.

The move comes as Birmingham City Council leaders and inward investment chiefs visit Qatar to try and boost trade links.

Qatar Airways began using the airport last March for direct flights between Birmingham and Doha. The route is seen a vital link towards securing further investment into the Midlands from this important market.

The promotion of the city – and surrounding region – fits with the airport’s strategy to make Birmingham the key gateway to the Midlands Engine.

The strategy between the bank and the airport is focusing on the size of the Midlands economy – estimated at £222bn – and the role it plays in the UK’s overall economy.

The bank is seen as a useful catalyst towards securing investment from Qatar because since 2014, the parent company of Al Rayan Bank has been Masraf Al Rayan, one of Qatar’s largest banks.

In 2015, Al Rayan Bank opened its flagship Private/Premier banking branch for high net worth customers, who are predominately from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region – in particular, Qatar. And in the last 12 months the value of Al Rayan Bank’s private client real asset book has increased by 118%, helping the bank’s commercial asset book surpass £1bn.

Sultan Choudhury said, “Both Al Rayan Bank and Birmingham Airport are in periods of unprecedented growth, and both organisations have a role to help to promote Birmingham and the wider Midlands region as an economic engine of the UK.   

“Qatar Airways’ commitment to Birmingham as a direct route from Doha, raises the profile of the city in the GCC and makes it easier to promote it as an exciting investment opportunity for GCC organisations.”
 
Uday Dholakia added: “Al Rayan Bank has played a vital role in supporting local families and businesses in the Midlands. Its connectivity to the Middle East, especially Qatar, makes it an ideal partner for the airport in promoting bilateral trade, investment and tourism links. There is growing interest in enhanced passenger and cargo links to Qatar. We look forward to working with the Al Rayan Bank team in joint programmes to promote the Midlands Engine.”