Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:09 pm on 22 November 2017.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure for being here at the end of this day—fortunately, it's not too late in the day, on account of the business that we've already dispatched. But this is an important issue, obviously. Exports do matter greatly to Wales, and exports to the EU matter proportionately to a greater extent in Wales than other parts of the United Kingdom. The value of Welsh exports was £12.3 billion in 2016, and two thirds of that £12 billion were exported to the EU. So, of course the future trading relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU is of vital importance to the health of the Welsh economy.
I'm afraid that I think the Government takes far too gloomy a view of the prospects for Wales post Brexit. Whereas they see threats and dangers, I see opportunities. Of course, any change is bound to affect different industries in different ways and, after 40-odd years inside the EU, the process of transition is going to be a challenge for some industries, and that can't be denied. But I do think that, on balance, this is going to be good for the United Kingdom. And what's good for the United Kingdom generally will be good for Wales, although we must obviously ensure that those who have a more difficult time in coping with the process of transition are helped to do so.