We’ve been selected by the Manchester Investment & Development Agency (MIDAS) to help the British city region of Greater Manchester secure investment from Japan.
MIDAS is the investment promotion agency for Greater Manchester, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and supporting the growth of international businesses there.
The region spans 10 metropolitan boroughs, is home to a population of almost three million and has five universities, including global top 100 institution The University of Manchester.
Did you know Greater Manchester’s relationship with Japan dates all the way back to the 19th century, when a group of students from Satsuma travelled to the city to learn about revolutionary industrial techniques? This legacy continues today, with dozens of Japanese companies – including Daikin, Brother, Fujitsu, Dentsu and Sharp – having established operations in the city.
Our Japan team will be scoping out interest from more Japanese corporations operating in MIDAS’ key focus areas. These include the net zero sector, as the region has committed to carbon neutrality by 2038 – 12 years ahead of the UK’s national target – attracting innovative cleantech companies to set up there.
Advanced manufacturing is another focus, as the region is home to a world-class cluster of pioneers in graphene, sustainable packaging, technical textiles and more. Other priority sectors include the creative industries, digital technology, life sciences and fintech.
Our appointment comes as Greater Manchester strengthens its ties with Japan, following a landmark trade mission to Osaka in December 2023, during which the two regions signed a three-year partnership to collaborate on net zero technologies and promote mutual trade and investment.
Greater Manchester is set to exhibit at the upcoming Expo 2025 in Osaka this June, with MIDAS team members attending alongside British politicians including Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. We’ll be supporting this by setting up meetings for the team in the run-up to the event with some of Japan’s largest corporations.
Rachel Eyre, Head of Advanced Manufacturing & Low Carbon at MIDAS, said: “Greater Manchester is home to some of the UK’s most innovative companies and research institutions, with many Japanese companies already having chosen to invest in the region. We’re excited to build upon these solid foundations and work with Japanese companies on our shared goals.
“It’s great to be working on this with Intralink, whose expertise and connections throughout Japan will help kick start the conversations we need to be having and support us in attracting businesses.”
You can see more on our trade and investment services here.
Or, if you’d like to discuss discuss how we could help your economic development organisation attract overseas investors, contact Alex Gover at alex.gover@intralinkgroup.com.