Major investment projects will be unveiled to a global audience, while discussion panels and presentations will cover topics including connectivity, housing and regeneration.

More than 20 events featuring some 50 presenters and panellists from Greater Birmingham are taking place at the Midlands UK Pavilion (C16.B). Greater Birmingham’s delegation comprises senior representatives from the public and private sectors across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country.

Key schemes to be laid out to investors include the unveiling of ambitious plans for Peddimore by Birmingham City Council on Tuesday 14th March. The 71 ha industrial site is expected to create more than 250,000 sqm of new floorspace and up to 10,000 new jobs.

A new Growth & Infrastructure Plan for the UK Central Solihull Hub – home to Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, Jaguar Land Rover, Arden Cross and the new High Speed Rail Interchange station – will be showcased on Wednesday. The Plan, developed by UK Central’s Urban Growth Company, outlines potential of the area to deliver some 750,000 sqm of development, over 3,500 new homes and £1.5 billion of infrastructure investment, with first phases of development commencing in 2018.

Planning for the future needs of businesses and residents across Greater Birmingham will also feature strongly at MIPIM. A discussion about housing on Wednesday 15th March will look at how the Midlands can deliver the best quality homes for its rapidly growing population. Also on Wednesday, the Black Country is showcasing its Garden City plans, which could create more than 45,000 new homes.

Cllr John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, commented: “Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull have come together once again to sell this region at MIPIM with a strong, unified voice. To fully realise Greater Birmingham’s economic potential – and create as many new jobs, businesses and homes as possible – it is vital to grasp the area’s growing reputation as a leading investment destination. MIPIM enables us to showcase the region’s top schemes to thousands of potential global investors during just four days.

“From housing developments to industrial sites and infrastructure networks, the breadth and depth of schemes across Greater Birmingham prove that we can offer investors a range of fantastic investment opportunities.”

Other popular events will cover a wide range of topics highlighting the strength of Greater Birmingham as a global investment destination. Town and city development schemes in Wolverhampton, Solihull town centre and Birmingham Curzon will be presented to delegates throughout the week.

Councillor Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Managed Growth at Solihull Council, added: “Our Midlands presence at MIPIM allows us to showcase the truly global opportunity that is presented by UK Central Solihull. Growth and development ambitions around the HS2 Interchange and Arden Cross site, in addition to those of Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre and Jaguar Land Rover combine to create a compelling international investment destination. We welcome joining together with our Midlands partners to put this region on the worldwide stage.”

Tom Westley, Black Country LEP lead for the Enterprise Zone, said: “The Midlands UK Pavilion and events programme actively demonstrates that the region is collaborating. We are collectively driving forward investment promotion and showcasing an outstanding mix of investment opportunities.

“The Black Country will use MIPIM as a platform to present a mix of investment opportunities including the £2 billion of investment planned across the Black Country’s strategic centres, the exciting plans linked to our aspirations for a £1 billion HVM City and the game changing proposals for our Garden City, which is set to be one of Britain’s biggest ever brownfield site regeneration programmes.”

Several presentations will focus on connectivity, and the crucial role that expanding air, rail and road networks will play in boosting the economic impact of Greater Birmingham. Royal Assent was recently granted to high-speed rail network HS2, which will become a key topic of discussion, particularly during several events on Wednesday.