Basildon targets investment through MIPIM 2009

Basildon will again be represented at MIPIM this year, as the Council and its regeneration partner, Basildon Renaissance continue to promote the District and seek private sector investment into the area.

And despite the current economic downturn, Basildon representatives remain upbeat on the progress of regeneration in the District and will be promoting this confidence at the conference.

MIPIM is the world's leading property, development and investment conference and provides a unique opportunity to meet the industry's decision-makers, develop long-term relationships and showcase the regeneration of the District.

Bala Mahendran, Chief Executive of Basildon District Council, says:  "Attending MIPIM is vital to promoting Basildon nationally and internationally.  Quite simply we cannot afford not to be there.  Every area in the country is regenerating and fighting for investment, particularly in the current economic climate.  We have to ensure that Basildon secures the financial investment and additional employment opportunities it needs to remain the biggest commercial centre in Essex."

Cllr Malcolm Buckley, Leader of the Council, says:  "The Basildon District is undergoing a major regeneration programme worth up to £2billion. This would not have been possible without our approach of dealing with the investment and development sector at industry events.  The approach has proved very successful, and despite the economic climate and delays to our projects, they remain ongoing and deliverable.

" It is essential that all of our projects are kept in the national and international eye, so that we can continue to drive investment into all of our projects, and maximise opportunities from other projects such as the London Gateway at Shell Haven.

"  Basildon has been represented at the two previous MIPIM conferences, and despite the current economic climate, we still have a good story to tell.  We must also show potential investors and developers that we are confident and ambitious over our future."

Basildon is sending representatives this year, along with Renaissance Southend, Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, the Essex Design and Regeneration Agency (EXDRA), and Invest Thames Gateway.  The new Homes and Communities Agency will also be attending, along with Communities and Local Government (CLG).

Basildon will be based within the London pavilion, and will have a small individual display panel promoting Basildon's strengths as an investment location.  

Invest Thames Gateway, the new body created to provide a one stop shop for international investors looking within the Gateway will also be present, as will other areas such as Croydon, and the London Borough of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, and Hammersmith and Fulham.  Within the main exhibition space, other UK areas promoting themselves will be Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

In 2007 a £2million investment was secured from English Partnerships for the interim works for Basildon town centre that are now taking place. That benefit alone dwarfs the cost of representing Basildon District at the biggest property development conference in Europe.  In 2008, the Council met with potential investors including hotel operators and countries interested in using the Sporting Village as a potential pre Games training camp for the London 2012 Games.

Notes to journalists

MIPIM is the world's premier real estate summit and attracts high-level decision-makers from 83 countries across the globe.

In 2008, there were:

• 29,318 participants
• 89 countries represented
• 2,687 exhibiting companies
• 6,800 investors representing banks, insurance companies, pension funds, REIT's and asset management companies.