West Midlands International Strategy - AWARD

This project aims to develop a West Midlands International Strategy (WMIS), with the product being a draft for consultation by 31st July 2023.

The Economic Growth Board (EGB) approved the development of the WMIS in December 2022. The EGB is a sub-board of the WMCA focused on supporting inclusive economic growth across the region. EGB has commissioned the WMGC to develop the strategy in partnership with regional and national stakeholders. Crucially, the DBT is committed to co-developing the strategy with WMGC.

It has been agreed at EGB that the WMIS will internationalise the WMCA's 2030 Plan for Growth, and will be aligned with and support the delivery of other regional and local strategies and plans. Its purpose is to shape the region's collective international effort and resources to elevate the region's presence and impact on the global stage in line with Global West Midlands. The WMIS will be multilateral in that it will cover trade, investment, R&D, students, and tourism - as well a 'soft power' considerations such as culture and international diasporas. By combining all these elements we aim to be able increase our international effectiveness and profile. The Strategy will lead to a shared delivery plan which will align resources from across the public, private and academic sectors of the West Midlands with those of Government.

The region has demonstrated the impact it can make internationally through the BATP. Given current economic challenges, the time is now right for the region to coalesce if the West Midlands is to out-compete global regions and nations in order to deliver its Plan for Growth. According to research by WMGC, whilst the region's brand is achieving some degree of cut-through, there is significant potential for improvement:

• oThe West Midlands is currently rated as a third tier location
• oWhereas Manchester is seen as a key European centre alongside a range of other second tier locations such as Copenhagen

This urgently needs addressing if the region is to ensure that it has at least one Global City by 2030, in line with government's ambitions in the Levelling Up White Paper. It is important that this Strategy is ambitious and innovative in equal measure to ensure we deliver stretching and meaningful outcomes for our region.