New plan to strengthen West Midlands-India relations

A new strategy aimed at strengthening links between the West Midlands and India has been unveiled by the West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP) - the region 's official engagement body.

Developed in collaboration with the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), PwC and the UK India Business Council, the Stronger Together strategy identifies a five-year programme of activity to unlock mutually beneficial and sustainable economic opportunities between the region and India, as both territories look to rebuild from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

An official event held at PwC 's Midlands office One Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, launched the strategy to market, hosted by WMIP chair, local businessman and president of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), Dr Jason Wouhra.

Over 70 delegates attended as well as hundreds across the globe who tuned in to a live stream online.

The strategy outlines five key priorities for establishing closer links with India.

These include:

• Promoting the West Midlands ' pivotal role at the beating heart of the UK 's living bridge with India
• Accelerating R&D innovation through enhanced science and education collaboration
• Increasing two-way trade and investment within the existing West Midlands-India corridor
• Further investing in WMIP to boost engagement between the region and India; and
• Maximising the economic potential of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Read the full strategy here

Senior officials from the UK and international trade community and regional business leaders were among those to endorse the strategy and its aims, including Dr Shashank Vikram, Consul General of India in Birmingham, and Gerry Grimstone, Minister for Investment.

Mr Grimstone said: “Our regions are the jewels of the UK crown, each with their own special properties, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the West Midlands, where there is a special relationship with India to be celebrated. The region has a vast Indian heritage, and I 've no doubt this will be proudly on show at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

“We are working with our teams and our counterparts across India to strengthen UK ties further by establishing a Free Trade Agreement, that will unlock additional economic growth through trade and investment.

“The West Midlands India Partnership has seen fantastic success since launching in 2020, bringing together the most promising growth areas and delivering results for communities, and I 've no doubt that its work supporting a vibrant business environment will continue our mission to increase exports, investment, growth and jobs between the UK and India. ”

The region is already taking steps to leverage the economic legacy of the Commonwealth Games through a dedicated Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) designed to attract additional investment, export deals and visitors to the region from Commonwealth countries, including India.

Running from 2021 to 2023, the programme could secure more than £650 million of new overseas investment into the UK and create £7 million of additional export deals until 2027.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “As we recover from the pandemic and look to make the most of our trading links outside of the EU, there is a real opportunity for the West Midlands to become the beating heart of the UK 's relationship with India.

“Our region is already home to an established base of Indian companies and, despite the pandemic, remains the leading destination for foreign investment outside of London. It is absolutely critical we build on this, which is why the new strategy launched by the West Midlands India Partnership is so important. ”

Pictured: (Standing left to right) Ghansyham Nabar, West Midlands India Partnership Director; Prof. Robin Mason, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), University of Birmingham; Stephen Page, Midlands International Markets Leader, PwC UK; Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, West Midlands Combined Authority; Dan Storer, Chief Investment Officer, West Midlands Growth Company; Ninder Johal, Founder, Nachural; Sanjay Pandey, Executive Director & COO, State Bank of India

(Seated left to right) Trevor Ivory, Partner, DLA Piper; Prof. Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University; Lakshmi Kaul, Director UK, Confederation of Indian Industry; Dr. Jason Wouhra, Chair, West Midlands India Partnership; Dr. Shashank Vikram, Consulate of India Birmingham; Anil Puri, Chairman, Purico Group Ltd.