Pictured: (l-r) Mark Beardmore, Georg Boomgaarden, Mike Whitby and Neil Rami

Birmingham reinforced its close connections with Germany last week, hosting a number of events to build on its links with German organisations and highlight that the city is a leading destination for business.

A visit from the German Ambassador to the UK, Georg Boomgaarden, on 17-18 November included a visit to E.ON in Ironbridge and ThyssenKrupp in Witton. Law firm DLA Piper - which has five offices in Germany - also hosted a dinner with Business Birmingham, the inward investment programme of Marketing Birmingham, for a number of German businesses based in the city. The dinner was attended by 40 guests including representatives from Gehrlicher Solar AG, Jewi Renewable Energies Ltd, Bosch Thermotechnology, Ostermann UK, Chiltern Railways, Forresters Patent Agents and PWC, who discussed the barriers and opportunities for business in light of the current economic challenges facing Europe.

The Ambassador and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anita Ward, also officially opened the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham city centre on 17 November, on the invitation of Birmingham City Council and Business Birmingham. The Market last year boosted the local economy by nearly £90 million. Frankfurt has been twinned with Birmingham since 1966; both cities are regarded as well-connected transportation hubs, and Frankfurt's urban population of 2.3 million people is similar to Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. 

Herr Boomgaarden said:

"The Frankfurt Christmas Market, which has been part of Birmingham's Christmas celebrations for more than a decade, represents the important relationship between these dynamic twin cities. It is a pleasure to be opening the Market this year, and meeting with some of the German companies based in Birmingham - which has established itself as a leading European business location."

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, commented:

"Birmingham's economic links with Germany have created thousands of jobs and helped to drive our local economy forward - and the similarities between Birmingham and Frankfurt in particular have generated huge benefits for both cities. By celebrating our partner city status, we can strengthen our close relationship with businesses in Germany and highlight how Birmingham can provide an outstanding UK base for their overseas operations."

There are more than 300 German-owned companies based across Birmingham and Solihull, including Deutsche Bank, ThyssenKrupp and Continental Ag. In the last decade, the country's investment into the area has created nearly 1,000 new jobs. Since 1991, the West Midlands region has attracted 232 investments from Germany.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, said:

"With its central transport connections, skilled workforce and industry expertise, Birmingham is continuing to attract foreign direct investment from across Europe. On average, each German investment into Birmingham creates or safeguards 50 jobs - with our strong automotive and financial services sectors performing particularly well. The events that have taken place this week will continue to build up the city's profile with overseas businesses, generating investment and boosting growth."

Mark Beardmore, partner at DLA Piper, said:

"We were delighted to host this prestigious event. The nature of our clients and transactions has become increasingly international over recent years and just last week our Birmingham and Frankfurt corporate teams worked closely together to complete a cross border transaction for EDiF Group."

Frankfurt City Councillor Volker Stein added:

"Birmingham and Frankfurt have been partner cities for 45 years - with the Frankfurt Christmas Market demonstrating how both cities can work together. The atmosphere at the opening of the Market was incredible, and shows how welcoming Birmingham is for visitors from overseas."

For more information on Marketing Birmingham, please visit their website here: www.marketingbirmingham.com