AMBITIOUS plans to drive £34 billion into the Midlands and create 300,000 extra jobs by 2030 have been launched by Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid this week.

In line with his role as Communities and Local Government Secretary, Mr Javid jetted out to the US and Canada as part of the first-ever Midlands Engine trade mission.

The scheme hopes to boost economic growth in the Midlands by showing businesses the region is an 'engine for growth' and open for investment.

Mr Javid said: "For the first time ever we are bringing the Midlands Engine to the world stage.

"These aren’t just warm words – over the next 15 years, we plan to generate an additional £34 billion for the Midlands economy.

"And with exports from the Midlands to both the US and Canada up significantly over the past five years, we have a strong record to build on."

Top business executives from the region joined the trade mission – which began on Monday, September 19 – to promote the scheme to an international audience.

Plans include a £250 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund for small and medium-sized enterprises and a £300 million investment in a High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Other proposals include £14 million for a new creative innovation centre at Digbeth as well as investment into the new High Speed 2 rail links at Birmingham and at Toton.

Mr Javid’s drive will also see him meet with representatives from United Airlines, the Walgreens Boots Alliance and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, amongst others.

Between 2010 and 2015, exports from the Midlands to the US rose by 55 per cent and exports from the Midlands to Canada rose by more than 11 per cent.