The Economic Action Plan

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:15 pm on 2 May 2018.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:15, 2 May 2018

Can I thank Jayne Bryant, not just for the question but also for kindly inviting me along to the event last week at Celtic Manor? It was a great event and well attended. I believe, after I left, a number of speakers made contributions welcoming the partnership approach that they've taken with the Welsh Government. I think it's important that we continue to ensure that businesses and Government don't co-exist but collaborate more. We're going to be doing that through the economic contract, ensuring that there is investment with a social purpose from the Welsh Government. I've been stunned, quite frankly, by the number of businesses who have embraced this concept—the need to ensure that Government and business work hand in hand to the same purpose, which isn't just to grow levels of wealth in Wales, but to ensure that we're also growing levels of well-being, and that we're reducing inequalities in both. With regard specifically to Newport, I have to say I think it's an incredibly exciting time right now for Newport, with the International Convention Centre Wales, the removal of the tolls on the M4, CAF and, of course, the compound semiconductor cluster. It all shows that Newport is open for business.