MIPIM 2012: Birmingham on the “cusp of significant change”
BIRMINGHAM’S investment in transport infrastructure will create new opportunities for business and investors and help to stimulate the local economy.
That’s the message city representatives will lay out to delegates at MIPIM, the world’s largest real estate conference, during an event at the Birmingham stand tomorrow.
‘Global City, Local Heart – Totally Connected’ will outline how initiatives including the recently approved £17bn HS2 rail link, the £65m runway extension at Birmingham Airport and the £600m New Street Gateway project are all proof of Birmingham’s commitment to transforming its transport networks as part of its drive to become a global business destination.
They should also boost the region’s economic output and generate employment across the city – with HS2 alone expected to boost the wider Birmingham economy by £1.5b a year and help to create more than 22,000 new jobs.
The event – presented by Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, Centro Chief Executive Geoff Inskip and Birmingham Airport CEO Paul Kehoe – will also highlight how a £1.3bn transport package is attracting a wider international audience to the city, opening up new markets and boosting the number of visitors to the region.
Cllr Whitby commented: “We are on the cusp of significant change. By 2015, Birmingham will be transformed with cutting-edge transport systems combining to provide integrated mobility across the entire city. Investors must consider the opportunities available in Birmingham before these changes are complete.”
In particular, Birmingham Airport is the only UK airport with planning consent for a runway extension, which will open up direct non-stop flights to key destinations in the Far East, California and South America. The airport has already secured a multi-million pound investment programme that enables it to handle an extra nine million passengers, meet the anticipated growth in air travel and offer an alternative to other UK airports, particularly in the South East.
Paul Kehoe, CEO at Birmingham Airport, said: “Our runway extension plans would provide better connections across the globe, especially to long-haul markets. This entire picture means billions of pounds of investment and the creation of thousands of new jobs, which is creating a growing momentum to be in Birmingham.”
Other events taking place on Wednesday at the Birmingham MIPIM stand include presentations on two regeneration projects taking place in the city – Icknield Port Loop and Paradise Circus – and the launch of an investment prospectus for sovereign wealth and institutional funds. Cllr Whitby will also be taking the stage for the prestigious main conference programme at MIPIM, to discuss investing in infrastructure for UK cities.
Visit Business Birmingham’s MIPIM page here.
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