The Lord Mayor of London William Russell is visiting Birmingham today to boost business ties between the West Midlands and the City of London.
His office said that Birmingham was a key location in the City Corporation's UK strategy which is aiming to increase inward investment and build awareness of how London can act as a global gateway for local firms to export their products and services.
He is due to meet West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Ian Reid, chief executive of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, and the West Midlands Growth Company alongside local entrepreneurs and businesses.
The meetings are aiming to foster a closer relationship in financial and professional services between Birmingham and the City.
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the ‘Square Mile' where many of London's financial giants are based.
Its regional strategy involves the corporation engaging with UK cities in a number of ways including inward investment and trade links.
Mr Russell said: "Birmingham has a proud industrial heritage which is evolving with a new wave of investment and innovation.
"A testament to its success has been big names like HSBC UK moving operations to the city recently.
"But there is still untapped potential in the area and lots of work to be done on important issues like regional investment.
"Supporting prosperity right across the country will play a critical role in fueling our economic success after we leave the European Union.
"Birmingham is a key city in our UK strategy and why we are always looking to connect local businesses with international businesses - using London's strengths as a global gateway to the benefit of the wider UK."
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, added: "We're very pleased to be welcoming the Lord Mayor of the City of London to the West Midlands today.
"London represents both a key source of domestic direct investment and a key partner city with the mutual aim of raising the UK's profile overseas.
"This visit also provides an invaluable opportunity to showcase our region's financial and professional services sector, which remains the UK's largest outside of the capital, as a thriving industry with a growing number of investment opportunities."
