THE region's development agency has created a forum to help companies in the two counties access finance.

Advantage West Midlands has established a new West Midlands Regional Finance Forum to help companies receive the finance they need, whether they are setting up or expanding.

"A key role for Advantage West Midlands is as a catalyst," said Norman Price, AWM board director and chairman of the forum.

"So we have set up a new West Midlands Regional Finance Forum which has three key roles - To improve financial awareness in businesses throughout the region; agree and oversee the implementation of a regional financial Framework for Action; and influence appropriate policy- makers at national, regional and local level.

"We need to ensure that - as far as possible - businesses have access to the finance they need as they move through different stages of development.

"By bringing together key players from the public and private sectors we will try to remove the constraints businesses are facing and ensure that appropriate products and services are developed and delivered."

The forum consists of representatives from the business, banking, venture capital and accounting sectors and public bodies such as the Government Office and Small Business Service.

Mr Price said an implementation plan was currently being developed.

For more information, go to: www.advantagewm. co.uk