Commonwealth Greater Birmingham
Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce Contact: Jamila Davis T: 0845 6036650
West Midlands India Partnership is launched
A new West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP), which aims to boost tourism, trade and investment has been launched. The project will attempt to develop stronger
links and opportunities for the region, as part of a five-year programme of activity with the Indian market. The initiative will be led by the West Midlands
Growth Company, the organisation formerly known as Marketing Birmingham. The new initiative has been
developed in partnership with Invest India, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Consulate General of Birmingham office.
‘Building resilient, productive economies is key’
The new chairman of WMIP is local
businessman Dr Jason Wouhra (pictured), who said: “The West Midlands India Partnership is a confident step forward at a time when building resilient, productive economies is key. “Through the partnership’s long-term strategy,
we aim to identify opportunities for both Indian and local businesses to trade, innovate and grow. “By strengthening networks, collaboration in academia and airline connectivity, we want to build on our shared history to forge new opportunities for a confident future. “As the director of East End Foods plc – a
globally trading, West Midlands success story –I want to encourage Indian-owned businesses to follow in my steps and capitalise on this region’s potential.” The WMIP will build on India’s track record of
foreign direct investment (FDI) in the West Midlands, acting as a single point-of-contact for potential new investors.
After the US, India is the leading source of FDI
in the West Midlands – during the last decade, 13,000 new jobs have been created as a result of this activity. The region has already attracted some of India’s biggest companies, including Tata Motors, State Bank of India, Infosys, OLA, Enzen Global, Suprajit Group, Elder Pharmaceuticals and more recently, Microland. WM Growth Company chief executive Neil Rami said: “The West Midlands-India relationship is a key priority for our region’s tourism, trade and investment programme, particularly as we prepare for the shared opportunities the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will bring. The region already has a strong track record of organic success derived from the Indian market. “Launching the West
Midlands’ first formal India
Partnership will unlock even greater opportunities for growth across trade,
education and the visitor economy. It presents
a major opportunity for both the UK and India to advance our national missions.” West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “The
West Midlands India Partnership will bring together some of the best talent and capabilities to not only stimulate cross-market trade, but to help address shared social and economic challenges faced by the UK and India.” Lakshmi Kaul, head and UK representative of
the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said: “The West Midlands is an important region for Indian industry as a hub of innovation and research. “The Confederation of Indian Industry is
pleased to support the West Midlands by working alongside the partnership to amplify business-to-business, as well as the people-to- people connection, while also addressing the economic growth and recovery roadmap.”
Working throughout lockdown
The Chamber’s translations team has kept functioning during the Covid-19 crisis, even though they have been forced to work at home, instead of at Chamber House. The team has not only managed to fulfil its
existing commitments, but also pick up a couple of new contracts during the lockdown. Full details of those cannot be disclosed, due to client confidentiality. Translations manager Amira Graham said:
“The lockdown showed that the translation business can be run as smoothly and effectively working from home as run in the office.
“At such times, technology has proven to be a
powerful tool in keeping business moving. “Our trusted clients knew that their business
will be well looked after and processed, despite the forced lockdown, and the team kept well co- ordinated and engaged which resulted in securing a few mega projects, delivered in time every time ensuring quality and accuracy. “We also launched the improved new
telephone interpreting initiative. “The translation team remains as dedicated
and professional as ever, irrespective for any circumstances.”
Dr Michaela Kendall: Clean energy pioneer Adelan chief joins
‘Mission Innovation’ The chief executive of a Birmingham-based clean energy company has been named as one of 30 ‘Mission Innovation champions’. Mission Innovation (MI) is a global
initiative of 24 countries and the European Union, working to make clean energy widely affordable. MI was announced at a 2015 climate change conference in Paris, attended by world leaders. The Birmingham chief executive joining
MI as its UK ‘champion’ is Dr Michaela Kendall, head of Adelan, a developer of solid oxide fuel cells, a clean energy for portable, off-grid systems. Adelan’s fuel cell technology has been
identified as making an outstanding contribution to the low-carbon energy transition. Dr Kendall will now join other individuals
from around the world to help MI draw attention to the importance of clean energy research and technology. She will now engage directly with 30
energy ministers including those from the EU, China, India and the US, plus philanthropic investors like former Microsoft boss Bill Gates, at key global climate gatherings. Dr Kendall said: “Recognition for Adelan’s pioneering role in the clean energy transition is a fantastic boost for the whole Adelan team, and the Midlands. “It’s vital that technologies such as our
hydrogen-ready fuel cells are rolled out commercially if we are to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and urban air quality. Britain has a key role to play in building the global manufacturing capacity to install low carbon energy and we continue the Midlands’s long history of energy innovators. “I am thrilled that our Adelan family has
been internationally recognised. Now it is time for the UK government to support players like Adelan to lead the green recovery through clean growth.” Adelan began pioneering its solid oxide
fuel cell technology more than 30 years ago. It runs in conjunction with a range of commonly available fuels such as LPG, natural gas or propane/butane mix.
August/September 2020 CHAMBERLINK 31 Commonwealth Chamber Patron
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