10. What plans does the Welsh Government have to develop an enterprise zone in rural mid Wales? OQ58019

On 2 March, I set out this Government's approach to enterprise zones in Wales. Whilst we have no immediate plans to introduce a zone in rural mid Wales, our commitment to place-based economic development is clearly set out in the regional economic framework for mid Wales that was published in December. 

I'd like to thank the Minister for his answer. Many communities and towns right across rural mid Wales—that's in Brecon and Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and in Ceredigion—would really benefit from an area of an enterprise zone so that they could have better growth opportunities for the businesses that live there, better planning decisions for the people who are there, a better business environment, and we could even look at having a tourism board to encourage people there. So, Minister, will you look again at this and please look to introduce an enterprise zone in mid Wales to benefit those businesses so that mid Wales is not left out yet again?

Well, I don't accept that mid Wales is left out. Actually, the regional economic framework developed by the two local authorities and endorsed not just by the Government is work that's been led by local authorities and those partners who understand their local communities. That goes alongside, of course, the mid Wales growth deal that both the UK Government and the Welsh Government have invested in. I think we can have a deal more optimism about the economic future within mid Wales. We'll continue to work alongside partners to ensure that we do deliver a better economic future for mid Wales. I'm not persuaded that providing an enterprise zone would provide all of the economic outcomes that the Member and I would want to see for mid Wales, but, of course, I'll be interested in what works, working alongside our partners, businesses and communities.