4. Statement by the Minister for Economy: Development Bank of Wales — Investing with ambition

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:46 pm on 25 October 2022.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 3:46, 25 October 2022

I very much welcome the statement. I agree with the Minister that the development bank here in Wales means we can maintain capability and stability to drive economic development. I, like Paul Davies, am pleased that the development bank is taking a proactive role in facilitating help for businesses. I have three questions. How is it intended to help businesses move from small to medium-sized enterprises, which is one of the weaknesses of the Welsh economy? Is it the Minister's intention to prioritise the three growth sectors of life sciences, ICT and financial services? And, perhaps, most importantly to me, from Swansea, will the bank further support the Swansea bay city region projects?