6. Will the Minister provide an update on the role of the National Procurement Service? OAQ54711

The National Procurement Service promotes Welsh public sector procurement collaboration to deliver a good deal for Wales. It saves time and money, supports the Welsh economy and embraces the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Thank you for that. Minister, the Welsh Local Government Association guidance document on European Union and public procurement is an interesting read. It states that the EU sets out the laws under which public procurement contracts must be awarded. The laws are designed to open up the EU's market to competition, to promote free movement of goods and services and to prevent binational policies. Does the Welsh Government now welcome the new opportunities that Brexit will provide for Welsh businesses?

Well, if there are new opportunities for Welsh businesses in terms of Brexit, I'm sure they're well overshadowed by the disadvantages that Brexit will bring for Welsh businesses. But, we will take any opportunity to ensure that if there are new opportunities that are opened up to us, then we will certainly take them. But, in the round, I think it's fair to say, as most commentators and most people who've done analysis of this will say, that the overarching and overbearing impact on business won't be positive.