Business in Birmingham has already been given a boost by the 2012 London Olympics more than a year before the games begin.

City council leader Cllr. Mike Whitby has been invited to speak at the launch of Meet Jamaica 2012 – a new initiative aimed at increasing trade between Jamaica and the UK on the back of next year’s Games. In doing so he will outline the fact that over 50 firms across Birmingham have already secured contracts to supply the London Games and related projects. The latest figures from Advantage West Midlands show firms from the region have secured deals worth just under £26 million in the first two months of 2011 – taking the overall total to £494.6 million.

Cllr Whitby commented: “In addition to the huge boost for British sport, the 2012 Olympic Games offer a wealth of business opportunities for companies. Our city has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, signing training camp deals with Jamaica and the USA. These figures clearly illustrate the fact that our businesses have also been fast out of the blocks.

A spokesman for the Meet Jamaica 2012 Initiative added: “We see Birmingham as the launch pad for our activities in the UK, not unlike our amazing Olympian athletes who will be based in the city for the London Games. In this respect, we acknowledge the valued partnership of Birmingham City Council in our efforts to launch the initiative.”