WMG, at the University of Warwick, are delighted to be supporting a new West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP), which aims to enhance UK-India relations and boost tourism, trade and investment between the West Midlands and India.

The Partnership, which launched on 26th June 2020, will support the region’s long-term economic growth plans by developing stronger links and opportunities for collaboration as part of a five-year programme of activity with the Indian market.

Led by the West Midlands Growth Company, this new initiative has been developed in partnership with Invest India, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Consulate General of Birmingham office.

Margot James, Executive Chair, WMG took part in the launch and comments:

“WMG and the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya were instrumental in many large-scale inward investments, nurturing UK and India partnerships, such as the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover by Tata, from which the West Midlands has benefited hugely. Our region has a strong heritage, close cultural links, and great business collaboration with India, but it is important to look to the future.

I welcome the new West Midlands India Partnership. The key word is partnership. We must recognise that both parties have something valuable to bring to the collaboration. Both the West Midlands and India have strengths to offer the other, and we need to build connections to create awareness of those strengths.

The West Midlands has incredible research strength, and a powerful capability through clusters of excellence in engineering, manufacturing and digital technology. India has a superb research and technical capability, for example the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management. These assets work alongside innovative, forward thinking businesses including Tata, TVS, Wipro, Infosys and Mahindra.

I am delighted that WMG will continue to help build a strong West Midlands-India relationship, alongside the Mayor's office, the Indian Consulate and the West Midlands growth Company. When we work together, we all benefit.”

The WMIP will be governed by two separate boards comprised of senior stakeholders, leaders and representatives. The Advisory Board, of which WMG is a member, will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Partnership, providing advice and guidance to the Executive Board, which will shape the planning and delivery of the programme’s activity.

Dr. Jason Wouhra OBE, Chair of the West Midlands India Partnership, 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."

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company – which aims to attract investment, jobs and visitors to the region, added:

“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.”

Lakshmi Kaul, Head & Representative – UK at Confederation of Indian Industry, added:

“The West Midlands is a melting pot of cultures, diversity and business excellence - the region is important for Indian industry as a hub of innovation and research. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 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.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added:

“The West Midlands’ innovation-led Industrial Strategy alongside the scale and ambition of India’s manufacturing, life sciences and technology sectors presents a major opportunity for world-class industry collaboration, helping to attract significant investment and create new, local jobs.

“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. I am delighted we have been able to secure this Partnership, which represents a further strengthening of the already excellent ties between our region and India.”

To find out more about the West Midlands India Partnership or to sign up as a partner, please visit https://wmgrowth.com/wmip

View the launch hereLink opens in a new window