A regional economic summit was held at East Midlands Airport this morning (April 24) – part of a pro-investment initiative backed by EU funding allocated to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The EM4 Summit brought together Nottingham, Derby and Leicester business teams which had promoted their cities’ development opportunities at annual global property exhibition MIPIM, in March 2018; to update business delegates on their progress. It also provided attendees with an opportunity to hear how the region’s economy is performing, generally.
The event (pictured above) was held this morning (April 24), at the Radisson Blu Hotel at East Midlands Airport. Organisations behind the event included Marketing Derby, Invest in Nottingham and Invest in Leicester.
The EM4 Summit was held as part of the ‘Invest in D2N2’ project; a £2million project which promotes activities to increase economic investment in the area covered by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. The project is funded via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) portion of the wider €250m (£218m) allocated to the D2N2 LEP in EU funding; and funding from partners delivering the initiative including Marketing NG, Invest in Nottingham, Marketing Derby, Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Economic Partnership.
D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership which promotes economic development, jobs and business start-ups across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
EM4 Summit delegates heard that the joint Midlands UK Pavilion at the MIPIM 2018 event held in March, in Cannes, France, had welcomed more than 4,700 visitors during the five day event; 57% more than in 2017. Pavilion presentations highlighted 26 of the Midlands’ main development opportunities, ready for investment and worth a combined £11billion.
National think-tank, Centre for Cities, gave a keynote presentation on why the East Midlands presents such a strong investment opportunity for domestic and overseas investors. Other speakers at the event included from property and construction consultants Gleeds, Henry Boot Developments, global engineering firm Rolls-Royce and East Midlands Chamber.
John Forkin, Managing Director at Marketing Derby said: “It is fantastic that the East Midlands works together to showcase the offerings within our region. Derby’s activity at MIPIM included over 100 meetings and a sell-out Embassy which resulted in a record number of leads.”
For further information on how EU funding allocated to the D2N2 LEP is helping its area’s economy see web link www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding
The Invest in D2N2 project has received funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
Media wanting further information about the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
