EIN/Minister welcomes "clearer focus"

Minister welcomes "clearer focus" to business support at B2B Wales event
Source: Welsh Assembly Government
Published Thursday, 15 June, 2006 - 05:01


Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, said his new department was “making a positive difference” to the economy of Wales with a clearer focus on business support.

Speaking at the official launch of the B2B Wales business exhibition at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Mr Davies said two months after the establishment of the Department for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, there had already been a been a much clearer focus on the delivery of business support and that the Welsh Assembly Government was now providing a true “one-stop shop” for businesses.

“The B2B Wales event is highlighting the broad and diverse range of businesses that we have within a wide array of sectors here in Wales. It is also an excellent way of highlighting to businesses – under one magnificent roof – the business and investment opportunities that we have here in Wales and the chance for our companies to inter-trade, collaborate and interact,” said Mr Davies.

“This is something that we as the Welsh Assembly Government very much believe in and mirrors our approach through public sector reform to provide a “one-stop shop” for business support and investment.

“From investment in public transport, investment in broadband and ICT, infrastructure, investment in skills, the Assembly Government is building a Welsh economy that is holding its own in the competitive global arena.

“On the 1st April this year we established the new Department that brought together the best features of the merged organisations in order to provide a world-class service for our businesses and individuals. And in the first two months of the new Department for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks – a mission statement in itself – we are encouraging enterprise and innovation, and we are ensuring we deliver the networks that a modern economy needs – transport infrastructure and broadband links.”

Mr Davies said it remained early days for the Department, but he believed the first few months were already proving a firm foundation for the way forward. “We’ll be open minded – willing to learn best practice from anywhere in the world – and we’ll have a culture of challenge – constantly reviewing and evaluating what we do and why we do it. We have a team committed and able to deliver a step change in the way we deal with the challenges of a dynamic Welsh economy in a competitive global setting.”

During his visit to the B2B Wales event – sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government - Mr Davies met with some of the more than 150 exhibiting companies and organisations within the Millennium Stadium as well as the DEIN stand where information and advice on business support is available to some of the thousands of visitors expected to attend the event over the next two days.

He commented: “It is testament to the wide range of businesses that we have here in Wales that an event such as this can be made into such a success. It is a true showcase of what we have to offer here in Wales and I hope as many people and businesses grasp the opportunities, seminars and discussions that will take place.”

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See also:
* Welsh Assembly Government, press release here
* ITWales , 16 June 2006 here
* Western Mail | Bonfire of the quangos 'benefiting economy' | Sion Barry | Jun 14 2006: here