8,000 jobs to be created following airport expansion.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, which operates Business Birmingham, the city’s inward investment programme, commented on today’s visit by the Prime Minister to Birmingham Airport:

“At today’s event the Prime Minister endorsed the work Birmingham is doing to build its profile in key markets, such as China, and make it easier for people from these areas to visit and invest here. The runway extension at Birmingham Airport will allow us to access new markets and opportunities. With foreign direct investment into the area at a high, we are working hard to build on this momentum to create more jobs and economic growth.

He added, “The city’s links to the Chinese market have been boosted in the last month with news of the first ever direct flights from China to Birmingham this summer and Marketing Birmingham and Birmingham Airport’s award of Visit Britain’s new Chartermark; demonstrating our commitment to being one of the most welcoming destinations in the world for Chinese visitors.

“The West Midlands is also the only UK region to have an export surplus with China, with exports totalling over £4billion each year. China is showing a growing interest in our offer and we are ready to build on the potential of this relationship.”

Rami was speaking after Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the announcement that 8,000 jobs would be created in the Midlands as Birmingham Airport expands to cope with increased demand from around the globe. On a visit to the airport, which is just weeks away from having its runway extended, the Prime Minister heard that 4,000 jobs would be created at the Airport and a further 4,000 across the supply chain by 2020.