8. 7. Statement: The Development Bank of Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:23 pm on 18 July 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 5:23, 18 July 2017

Thank you, Llywydd. I am delighted to announce today that we are delivering one of the key pledges contained in our programme for Government by creating the development bank of Wales. I’m particularly pleased that the development bank will address market failure across business finance by focusing support for micro, start-up and innovative businesses across Wales. This means that businesses will have access to the finance they need to become fitter, bigger and stronger. The development bank will be a strategic national asset that is unique in the UK and one that provides a competitive business advantage for Wales over the rest of the country. It will help to provide the growth finance and business support required to attract, build and retain microbusinesses and SMEs in Wales, both today and into the future. It will build on the success of Finance Wales and learn from the very best development banks around the world.