WMFG 2017: The West Midlands must maintain a pipeline of opportunities to present to investors at any time, according to Colin Clinton of the Department for International Trade.
Speaking at the West Midlands Forum for Growth in Birmingham, he said his department was “looking to find more of the quality projects that will attract investors, and to ensure we have the scale right to attract them”.
Clinton was involved in the creation of an initial pipeline of 33 projects that were released as part of the Midlands Engine Pitchbook last year. But he warned that maintaining a list of investments should be ongoing.
“The pipeline: this is not just about creating a one-off shot. It’s for any time when we have to put a pipeline in front of investors.”
With growth in London slowing and prime markets looking threatened, there is increasing focus on and opportunity in the regions.
M&G’s head of business space, Chris Perkins, said that investors liked the regions because they were considerably less volatile than London and provided diversity for funds.
“It is also very clear the government is committed to the regions,” he said.
“Central government support for investment into the West Midlands is there. Then there is the enormous amount of investment we have seen in Birmingham already,” he said.
“We love the fundamentals of this area. Transport infrastructure is excellent, and this all firmly anchors the West Midlands as a highly desirable place for the longer term.”
However, GVA’s Ian Stringer warned that without the development of more assets, investors would have nowhere to put their money, and the region would be at risk of missing out.
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