Business News


What they said about Games win


West Midlands mayor Andy Street says the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be an opportunity to show that Birmingham and the rest of the UK are open for business. He said the Games were not just


a sporting spectacle but a chance for the region to put on a business and cultural festival for the rest of the world. He added: “This is part of the


revival of the West Midlands. We feel that so many things are coming together in the West Midlands now. “We’re working together as a


team. This had to be the next stage and we’re hugely looking forward to welcoming the world to Birmingham and the West Midlands just to show where we are in that story of revival.” When asked about the potential


“Increasing our trade with the


Commonwealth might not be the panacea to ease all of our country’s economic uncertainties, particularly post Brexit, but it is common sense that we do. “Let’s acknowledge the opportunities. It is a market that comprises 52 largely English- speaking countries with a combined population of 2.6 billion; it covers one third of the globe with 60 per cent of its citizens under 30; its growth rate is a four per cent with Commonwealth trade projected to surpass $1tn by 2020. “As an added bonus, it is claimed


that it is up to 15 per cent cheaper for businesses in the Commonwealth to trade with each other, mainly due to its common legal system, language and culture.. “UK businesses and their


products and services are viewed by our Commonwealth partners in a positive way. For exporters this is extremely good news. The drop in sterling will now give us a further advantage when it comes to exporting making our goods cheaper overseas. In all, looking to do business with or enhancing business with the Commonwealth is a no brainer.”


To find out more, or register your interest in becoming a member, email gbccc@birmingham- chamber.com or call 0845 603 6650.


• The Birmingham Commonwealth Association is now part of the Royal Commonwealth Society having been established in 2014 under the chairmanship of Keith Stokes-Smith.


A £750 million boost for local economy


By John Lamb


The Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 will provide the region with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put the city more firmly on the global map, business leaders said today. The announcement was made


at a media launch at the Arena Academy Secondary School near the Alexander Stadium. The Games are expected to


generate £750 million for the local economy and the decision came after negotiations between the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Birmingham City Council were concluded. Paul Faulkner, chief executive


of the GBCC, said: “The award of the Games to Birmingham will mark a see-change in the city’s history. It’s an opportunity to showcase ourselves to a global audience and will benefit all elements of our life here. “The City Council and


supporting bodies deserve huge congratulations for this successful bid and we now need to showcase a stunning event. “Credit should also go to the


West Midlands Combined Authority and our new Mayor Andy Street and many numerous


other public and private sector bodies that played their part. “This also comes just days after


that other great boost for the region – the Coventry City of Culture 2021 success. Birmingham and Coventry deserve a few years in the spotlight and we now have the opportunity to make the most of it. Birmingham Council highlighted in the bid that hosting the Games will accelerate job creation and drive change that will leave a glowing mark on the city for years. “The Games themselves offer


the opportunity to generate significant income for the wider region, with other cities and towns sharing the action. “This is another great feather


in Birmingham’s cap, having already successful staged major sporting events including Test matches, big soccer and rugby matches and top athletics. “It will give the city the chance


to improve its sporting facilities and at the same time generate work for businesses in the area. Visitors and a world-wide television audience need to be shown the dynamism, appeal and friendliness of Greater Birmingham. “We’re passed the heats now


and into the final – let’s ensure we cross the finishing line with a glorious Games that will go down in history.”


return from hosting the Games, Mr Street said he welcomed the scrutiny from central Government to ensure the event provided value for money. He added: “We have been under


scrutiny from central Government, to put it bluntly, to ensure the total Games is good value for Britain.”


Paul Thandi, chief executive, NEC Group It was a brilliant early Christmas present to get confirmation that Birmingham has been selected as host city. Host cities are required to demonstrate world-class sporting facilities and NEC Group is proud to be supplying four of our top venues across Birmingham and Solihull. All our sites had to meet rigorous guidelines around athletes’ needs, technical specifications, seating capacity and Games-time logistics.


Tim Pile, chair of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership This demonstrates real international confidence in Greater Birmingham and Solihull, which is attracting huge levels of investment into major infrastructure and regeneration schemes, and is undergoing significant economic growth as a result. I am positive that the Games will help continue to drive prosperity for both our people and businesses.


Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, manging director of West Midlands Trains By the time the games come to Birmingham almost £1 billion will have been invested in improving rail services. This means we will have new trains and more capacity to move more people than ever before. This really is our region’s time to shine.


February 2018 CHAMBERLINK7


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