Business leaders from across the region have joined Communities Secretary Sajid Javid on a transatlantic trade mission to promote Midlands companies.
The MP for Bromsgrove is in the US and Canada this week leading the first-ever 'Midlands Engine Trade Mission' in a bid to show North American businesses how investing in the region could help them grow.
In Chicago, he is taking part in a food and drink trade mission with 20 businesses including Panesar Foods and Holdsworth Chocolates alongside representatives of the University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
In Toronto, the Secretary of State is leading a round table discussion with senior figures from companies such as Savills, KPMG and Capital & Centric.
During his tour, Mr Javid will meet with representatives from United Airlines, the Walgreens Boots Alliance and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board among others.
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."
Data suggests that, between 2010 and 2015, exports from the Midlands to the US rose by 55 per cent and exports to Canada rose by more than 11 per cent.
Among the Government's ambitions for the Midlands are a £250 million fund to provide investment to SMEs, a £60 million Energy Research Accelerator at the University of Nottingham and a £300 million investment in a high-value manufacturing hub and £45 million for a new energy centre in Birmingham to attract the most innovative businesses to the region.
