Qataris eye investments across city

BIRMINGHAM has hosted the largest-ever Qatari business delegation as it welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May and senior business figures to the city.

The Qatar-UK Business and Investment Forum on Monday was also attended by Qatar Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.

It marked the first time a Qatari delegation led by the Qatari Secretary of State Minister Rumeiheh has visited a UK city outside of London.

The delegation also took a tour of Birmingham to see investmentready projects across the city, including the planned new HS2 terminal in Curzon Street.

Links between Qatar and the Midlands already exist with the Qatari Al Rayan Bank having a strong presence in the region and Qatar Airways flying directly from Doha to Birmingham Airport.

Earlier this year, Alduwaliya Asset Management acquired One Eleven Edmund Street in a £22.5 million deal and, over the past year, the Midlands has exported goods worth £144.3 million to Qatar.

Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine, said: “The forum demonstrates why the Midlands is at the heart of a global Britain’s offer to the world.

“The investment-ready projects showcased have a value in the billions and will help the Midlands reach its untapped potential in growth. These projects are central to boosting productivity and I am confident that, not only do they demonstrate to investors that they get a return on their investment, but that an investment in the Midlands, which will drive growth and allow our businesses to expand, is an investment in the UK.”

Steve Hollis, chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We hope the event will not only lead to increased levels of foreign direct investment and exporting, both critical to further grow the local economy, but also to raising Greater Birmingham’s profile as a global city region.”