“Wales is on the up”

First Minister Carwyn Jones has delivered a key note speech on the Economy describing Wales and the Welsh Economy as “on the up”

Speaking at Gloworks, which he described as “a physical embodiment of the new confidence of our creative industries,” he stressed the “growing confidence and diversity of the Welsh economy.”

He said: “From the very start, this administration has been unashamedly pro-business and pro-growth, with a very clear strategy – to maximise the number of quality jobs created and safeguarded in Wales, to develop an entrepreneurial culture, and to make us the go-to destination for high quality inward investment.  That strategy has been a major success as over the term of this government, we will have created, safeguarded and assisted nearly 150,000 jobs.”

He acknowledged the role of Economy Minister, Edwina Hart, saying she has been “tireless”  in meeting companies across the world to sell the benefits of Wales, and bring those deals home, also praising “the fast reaction of our inward investment team and the hugely supportive environment the Welsh Government creates for those making critical global decisions about where to invest.”

The First Minister said: “One of my personal highlights of this Government term has been that real increase in economic confidence over the five years, alongside our growing confidence as a nation. I strongly believe that the two must go hand in hand, and the can-do attitude that results is strengthened by both.

He stressed that the future priority “has to be to that growing confidence we see right across the Welsh economy, driven by a private-sector led, government-supported approach, playing to our nation’s strengths and competing – and winning - on a global stage – transferring into job creation.”

“We have set the strongest possible foundations – now it’s time to build. Wales is on the up. Welsh businesses are on the up.” he said. Read full speech here. 

£55,000 to build new titles for Microsoft A Welsh Government supported initiative has seen three Welsh games developers given a total of £55,000 in grants to build new gaming titles for Microsoft. Dojo Arcade and Wales Interactive Ltd based in Pencoed Technology Park and Sky Fish Studios Ltd of Cardiff are the first in Wales to participate in the Microsoft Greenshoots programme. Greenshoots is an incubation programme that has partnered with Creative England over the past two years and is now being piloted in Wales with support from Welsh Government.  Read more.

NoFit State Circus sponsorship deal leads to New York performance A Welsh Government sponsorship deal will see NoFit State the first contemporary circus to perform at New York’s St. Ann’s Warehouse The £24,000 sponsorship deal, announced by Deputy Minister Ken Skates, means that NoFit State is able to accept an invitation by St. Ann’s to stage the US premier of its show BIANCO. It will also be the first time the Cardiff based company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2016, has appeared in the States.  Read more.

The  back streets of Paris - in Swansea Bay Studios First Minister Carwyn Jones has toured the set of The Collection at Swansea Bay Studios to see the skills of the Welsh crew. The team are replicating the back streets of Paris - in the studio back lot on Fabian Way. The Collection is the latest high end TV drama to film in Wales. It will be exclusively available to Amazon Prime members in the UK later this year. It is backed by funding from Pinewood Studios and the Welsh Government Media Investment Budget that is advised by Pinewood Pictures, which played a pivotal role in bringing the new series to Wales.  Read more.

Improving diversity in the film and TV industry in Wales Diverse Cymru which promotes equality across Wales is working with Welsh Government to deliver a research project to explore the barriers preventing people from diverse backgrounds becoming involved in the film and TV industry in Wales. The charity will work with professionals in the creative industries to look at this issue through the “Diversity in Film and TV” project.  Read more.

Superfast Broadband schemes expanded Two Welsh Government schemes are being expanded to further increase the number of people able to access superfast broadband in Wales.  Changes to the Access Broadband Cymru and Ultrafast Connectivity Voucher schemes will expand the availability of superfast broadband and will make faster internet speeds available to all homes and businesses across Wales.  Read more.

£50m Pontio arts centre to transform North Wales arts & culture scene

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates has officially opened the Pontio arts and innovation centre, saying it will have a transformative effect on arts and culture across North Wales.

The £50million Centre at Bangor University was supported by £15million Welsh Government funding and £12.5million of EU funds. 

Split over six levels, the centre is home to a flexible mid-scale theatre, a Studio Theatre which holds up to 120 people, a digital cinema, a cutting-edge Innovation Centre and a wide range of facilities for students, including a new home for the Students’ Union and numerous learning and teaching spaces.  Read more.

First Cinema for National Eisteddfod of Wales

A strategic partnership of key Welsh film organisations has come together to provide a film experience on the Eisteddfod Maes for the first time in 2016

BAFTA Cymru and the National Eisteddfod are working in partnership with Wales Screen, Film Hub Wales, Chapter, Into Film, Ffilm Cymru Wales, The Royal Television Society, BFI Net.Work, ITV Cymru Wales, S4C and TAC.  The first cinema offer will be made available at the National Eisteddfod from 30 July to 6 August - the largest peripatetic cultural festival in Europe.  Read more.

Royal Celebration for Royal Welsh College

HRH The Prince of Wales, as Patron of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama has hosted a gala event at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the achievements of Wales’s national conservatoire.

The evening showcased the talents of the College’s young artists and guests included some of Wales’s most successful artists such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Bryn Terfel and Michael Sheen.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said, “The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence for music and drama and we at the Welsh Government are immensely proud of its achievements and the skills and talent base which it has contributed to Wales’ creative industries.”  Read more.

Afternoon Tea with Children’s TV commissioner

Creative Europe Desk UK - Wales and BAFTA Cymru  recently hosted the next in the popular Meet the Commissioners series of events. An audience of industry attended the Afternoon Tea with the Children’s Commissioners to hear from Disney, Cartoon Network, CBBC, Cbeebies, Milkshake and S4C, and to pitch ideas.

There were over 60 producers, writers and directors at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff along with a further 30 joining online.  Find out more. 

UK Games Fund offering up to £25,000 grant support to develop your title

Whether you are a registered active games development company, a new start-up, or you are yet to legally form your company with Companies House; you could potentially secure up to £25,000 grant support to develop your new title. Deadline for applications is Monday 18th April 2016, 12pm noon. Find out more.

New £136m fund to help businesses in Wales grow

A new £136m EU-backed fund to give businesses in Wales access to finance to help drive their productivity and the growth of the Welsh economy has been announced by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.

Managed by Finance Wales, the Wales Business Fund will support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate their expansion plans by providing finance through loans and equity investments from £50,000 up to £2 million.

The fund will also provide finance for business start-ups as well as risk capital for the creation and growth of companies undertaking research and innovation, including spin outs, in key growth sectors.  Read more.

£21million finance package to expand

Economy Minister Edwina Hart has announced £21m of new finance to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales expand and create or safeguard more than 1,800 jobs.

The money will be distributed to Welsh businesses through two Finance Wales funds and the Welsh Government’s new £5m Repayable Fund for SMEs, which offers repayable finance of between £50,000 and £500,000 to help SMEs grow and create jobs. The fund aims to create and/or safeguard at least 500 jobs.  Read more.

Small Business Rates Relief extended for year with £98million

The Welsh Government’s Small Business Rates Relief Scheme will be extended for another year, Economy Minister Edwina Hart has announced.

The £98million scheme, which benefits over three quarters of business premises in Wales, means around half of all eligible businesses will pay no business rates again next financial year.  Read more.

Welsh businesses encouraged to apply for exports and growth support

The Welsh Government is calling on Welsh businesses in development with high growth potential to apply for a new scheme providing tailored support to help their business grow, boost exports and create new jobs.

The pre-start business accelerator programme is open to businesses that can outline an ambitious growth strategy with the aim of creating 10 jobs and turning over £2m in its first three years. Applicants will also be assisted in identifying opportunities in international market, with the aim of generating 30% of its revenue through export. Read more.

New on-line Directory launched to promote Welsh businesses

A new on-line Directory of Welsh Businesses - launched by Business Wales to help companies promote their goods, services and credentials - is proving a hit with more than 400 businesses registered to date.

The on-line resource is open to any business in Wales and designed to help companies promote themselves to potential new customers and raise their profile.  Read more.

Users can do a quick search for Welsh businesses by name, sector, region and other filters and listing is free and easy to do.

Wales Festival of Innovation 2016 – 20 June - 1 July

Now in its 3rd year the Wales Festival of Innovation will highlight and showcase innovation in Wales through a number of events, seminars and workshops run by companies and academia.

The Festival will provide innovators with the opportunity to network with industry experts and to showcase their products and services to potential customers and members of the public from across Wales and beyond. Find out more.

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