Birmingham signs historic MoU with Abu Dhabi

BIRMINGHAM’s prospects of attracting major investment from the Middle East have been boosted following the signing of a groundbreaking agreement with the Abu Dhabi municipal government.

Cllr Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council,  yesterday signed a special Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with His Excellency Rashid Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA).

The MoU is the latest step in an economic strategy designed to showcase the investment potential of Birmingham to a variety of Middle Eastern and Gulf states.

Under the terms of the agreement Birmingham City Council will offer support, advice and consultancy to help the DMA set up and develop a local government structure in Abu Dhabi.

In exchange officials from Abu Dhabi will offer Birmingham direct support in facilitating meetings and introductions, and advising and advocating credentials, to some of the most important and able private and state backed investors across the UAE and the Gulf.

The MoU builds further on a relationship between Abu Dhabi and Birmingham which dates back to Cllr Whitby’s 2009 visit to the Emirates, and has seen a series of inward investment delegations already visit the UK.

Cllr Whitby said “This partnership offers fantastic opportunities for Birmingham to gain direct access to some of the wealthiest and most ambitious investors in the world. Though this is based on mutual benefit this MOU has been signed with genuine warmth and friendship, that will be the basis of its success.

“For too long the rest of the world has only really had the capital city pushed as the major investment possibility in the UK. Today we are starting the journey that says that Birmingham offers unrivalled opportunity as a city ripe for global investment.

“We will work with those people that share our vision for the city and with projects like the Big City Plan we can show people the future potential of Birmingham.”

HE Rashid Mubarak Hajeri, said: “We’re keen to show the world how we’re transforming Abu Dhabi and working to make our 2030 vision a reality.

“By partnering with Birmingham City Council, we can learn from their experiences to inform and drive our ambitious plans and achieve recognition for our accomplishments so far.”