Insider Media Limited

Business Birmingham has hit back at claims that the city's inward investment programme will be hindered by the riots. Wouter Schuitemaker, investment director at the organisation, told Insider that several potential investors from the US who were in the city during the two days of violence were now considering setting up an operation in Birmingham.

Schuitemaker said the focus should now be on helping the city's businesses "pick up the pieces" and build up its reputation as a place to do business.

He said: "We are working with partners across the globe as well as UK and international media, and through social media channels, to make sure people know that Birmingham is open for business, and remains a safe, welcoming and productive environment for business."

He added that several potential investors from the US were being hosted in Birmingham while the riots took place, and were not deterred by the incident.

"While they had the option to cancel or to return home early, they chose to stay in the city and were not perturbed by what they viewed as a ‘one-off’ incidence of disorder," said Schuitemaker. "In fact, they were keen to do a walking tour and were quite amazed at how well and quickly the city had pulled together. They were equally impressed by the city's business credentials and are considering it as a location for their operation."

Birmingham had been hit by reports from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group stating the city stands to lose more than £7m as a result of the riots. John Rider, West Midlands chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD), also stuck the knife in by revealing fears that potential investors would be deterred by the looting and violence which took place across the city.

Rider said: "Who will want to invest in Birmingham now? I am convinced the region still has a lot to offer inward investors but this has made attracting them more difficult.

"We should not kid ourselves into thinking the regional economy is improving – it isn't."

Last week, cities including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Cannock and West Bromwich became grounds for rioters with shops attacked and cars set on fire. Retailers in The Mailbox and the Bullring were targeted by looters.

Schuitemaker concluded: "Birmingham’s strengths lie in its sectoral expertise, its R&D credentials, talent pool, property, location and connectivity – these are important factors that the city is building its reputation as an investment location on. These are still important to investors, and as all indications are that the events of the past few days are calming down, it is a matter of moving on and underlining what we are good at and why they should come here."