West Midlands Mayor leads trade mission to China

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, will arrive in China today (Monday, March 17) to showcase the region’s investment potential and drive forward his plan to create thousands of new jobs and reignite the economy.

This is the Mayor’s first overseas trade mission and will see him hold top level meetings with senior business figures in three powerhouse cities – Shenzhen, Chongqing and Shanghai.

The Mayor will be championing opportunities to invest in his bold vision to position the West Midlands as a leading force in advanced manufacturing, with a strong focus on high-growth green industries such as battery manufacturing, clean tech, and health tech.

These sectors sit at the core of the West Midlands’ flagship Investment Zone with £5.5 billion of investment opportunities, and the potential to create 30,000 high quality jobs, and a new era of prosperity for the region’s economy and people.

The Mayor said: “I have a clear plan to make our region a global hub for cutting-edge battery technology, clean energy, and health tech - sectors where we see major opportunities for growth.

“China is already a key partner with a track record of investments in the West Midlands. And we are ready to work with new investors who share our vision. We have the people, the ideas and shovel-ready sites, including prime land for a gigafactory.

“That’s my plan to secure investment that will create tens of thousands of jobs, back innovative businesses and position our region at the forefront of a growing national economy.”

The West Midlands has been successful in attracting significant investment from Chinese companies with long-term investments in the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors.

The region’s Investment Zone includes a development-ready site for a gigafactory and battery technology hub within the Coventry and Warwick Gigapark, serving electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

Other key employment sites within the zone are Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor.

The Mayor will also be promoting the West Midlands Global Growth Programme – a unique, fully funded support package, offering international innovation-led companies a springboard to success in the region.

The programme is delivered by the Mayor of the West Midlands and the West Midlands Growth Company.