QNR – in the Senedd on 4 July 2018.
Our plans for economic development are set out in 'Prosperity for All' and the economic action plan. We continue to provide a wide range of support to businesses in Wales through, for example, Business Wales and the development bank. We also provide infrastructure investment and actions that improve business conditions.
Our economic action plan sets out our approach to enable all parts of Wales to benefit from economic growth. Manufacturing is key to the economy of Wales and our priority remains to develop and strengthen the manufacturing base in all regions.
We are committed to supporting the long-term viability of steel making in Wales. The US Administration’s decision to introduce 25 per cent tariffs on EU steel imports was deeply disappointing and we raised with UK Government the importance of ensuring the EU undertakes actions to safeguard the sector from consequential impacts.
I launched the economic contract on 21 May and it now frames our interactions with business, including those in Mid and West Wales. We are using it to encourage and promote the adoption of responsible business practices, as part of a wider ‘something for something’ approach.
Since 2013 the Welsh Government has provided local authorities with £25 million a year to support local bus services to communities across Wales. Towards the end of 2017-18 we provided an additional £3 million to enable authorities to purchase bus stop infrastructure, audiovisual kits and related support for the bus network.
We are making good progress with implementing the national strategy 'Prosperity for All', and the economic action plan that supports it.
The findings of the review of elite and performance sports facilities form the first element of the wider review of sports facilities in Wales that is currently under way. I will be considering them alongside the findings of the wider review once completed.