Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:47 pm on 12 November 2019.
Can I thank David Rowlands for his kind words regarding the people who deliver Business Wales services? I think the fact that 37 per cent of businesses who responded to the survey said that that they would be content or indeed happy to pay for Business Wales support and advice indicates just how effective Business Wales services are right now. That is why we are so keen to ensure that the operating model in the future builds on the success of Business Wales.
I think David Rowlands makes the important point that a business seeking and securing advice and support from Business Wales probably has double the chance of surviving four years than a business that does not. The figures really are quite incredible, and those figures have contributed to Wales now having more active enterprises that at any other time in its history. And, again, this is a success story that we wish to build on.
In terms of the support provided through the Development Bank of Wales, it's always been our view that, between Business Wales and the Development Bank of Wales, working closely together, businesses can enjoy not just financial support but advice with it. The Development Bank of Wales has been looking recently, particularly in the context of leaving the EU and the support that might need to be provided to businesses, at the risk appetite for lending to SMEs. This is absolutely vital, and also with it is the need to make timely decisions and to ensure that bureaucracy associated with securing financial support is kept to an absolutely minimum. And that is something that I would congratulate the Development Bank of Wales on achieving.
In terms of the funding criteria and the amount that a business is expected to secure from other means, I'm always happy to review the funding arrangements for businesses, but it's absolutely vital that we do stretch private investment as far as we possibly can.