Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that provided details of Coventry City Council exhibiting at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress 2019 in Singapore. Councillor O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration attended the meeting for consideration of this item.

ITS World Congress was the world’s foremost trade show for Intelligent Transport Systems, Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) and Future Mobility, all of which were strategically placed and at the forefront of Economic Development for Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands. The Congress presented an opportunity for Coventry and Warwickshire to exhibit on the UK pavilion, along with universities and supporting agencies to exhibit at the Congress in Singapore, collaboratively with Coventry University promoting Coventry’s existing skills, services and assets within this industry to a new international market reaching a worldwide audience.

The reasons and benefits for the trip were stated as:

•  An opportunity to promote C&W’s capabilities and desirable location to live, work and invest at an exhibition with global presence from companies from around the world.

•  Put Coventry on the map, whilst highlighting key sectors, businesses, services and our world-renowned universities.

•  Opportunity to meet/visit other international pavilions, academia and industry from other countries to discuss autonomous vehicles and future technologies, challenges and achievements, potentially generating new connections and FDI projects for our pipeline.

•  Gather intelligence, meet relevant contacts and build relationships with keys partners and organisations to support any potential bids to bring the ITS World Congress to the UK.

•  Opportunity to meet global leaders and decision makers 

The visit had:

·  Strengthened and established new working relationships with Singapore and Coventry through networking and dialogue with Enterprise Singapore, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Department for International trade and Intelligent Transport Systems UK.

·  Provided access to key players in supporting future visits and inward investment and trade opportunities.

·  Offered valuable access to companies and decision makers within Singapore Government for future trade and investment opportunities/enquiries including contact made through Coventry University with Singapore Land Transport Authority Deputy Director (Innovation).

·  Introduced Coventry to a new global international audience promoting our strategic goals.

·  Exposed and put C&W on the map as a key investment destination.

·  Provided a clear insight into how companies from varying countries showcase their technologies and innovation through stand designs and equipment to facilitate and generate investment promotion.

·  Invaluable lessons learnt in terms of organising and hosting any future events.

·  Provided direct outcomes and also indirect outcomes, alongside key engagements, successes and potential future outcomes across C&W which could be attributed to the increased promotion and presence within the international arena.

The Board thanked the officer for a comprehensive report and its positive outcomes and future proposals. They noted that arrangements had already been made for the hosting of the Congress at venues across the world each year until 2023 and that the Council aspired to host the event at the National Exhibition Centre in 2024. The Board gave their support for the bid for this proposal.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) endorses the report and confirms its continued support of the work being undertaken by the Economic Development Service to enhance Coventry’s international profile, encourage Foreign Direct Investment, and support a potential bid to bring the ITS World Congress to the West Midlands.