I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate and to highlight the vital importance of small businesses to our economy and also to our communities. In a fast-moving world where businesses will all seek the best opportunities, large companies have the advantage of being able to relocate to other regions and even other countries to take advantage of the tax breaks and other incentives should they so wish. In contrast, small businesses are embedded in the communities that they serve, and I've heard from many of my colleagues here today that they're supportive of that as well. For me, they're a vital part of the Welsh economy, providing jobs for over 62 per cent of the total workforce in enterprise employment here.

Small Business Saturday is about highlighting the importance of small businesses within their communities and to encourage more people to shop locally. But, before I talk about some of the issues they face, I wish to take this opportunity to praise the courage of those risk takers who decide to set up their own business in the first place, because it's certainly not easy. Once upon a long time ago, I wanted to set up my own cosmetics business, and the sheer investment was simply eye-watering for me, and it was an idea that I had to drop. The standard definition of an entrepreneur is, and I quote,

'a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of a profit.'

Risk takers in the business world risk their livelihoods, reputation, and even personal relationships to achieve their so-called end goal. From creating an app, to opening a shop, to launching a new brand, the fact is that all entrepreneurs have taken huge risks when deciding to set up their own business. For aspiring businessmen and businesswomen, the thought of eventually being your own boss in the long term outweighs the potential risks of failure. Entrepreneurs take calculated risks every single day, but possibly none is bigger than the initial decision to start a business in the first place. I believe, sincerely, from every ounce of my soul, that the Welsh Government should do all it can to support those risk takers and encourage small businesses to grow and to thrive. That means taking action on business rates. Business rates, rents and wages are the three largest outgoings for any small business. At a time when small businesses face unprecedented increases in their costs, as my colleague Paul Davies mentioned, politics aside, the Welsh Government should really follow the lead of the UK Government and provide further business rate relief. This would provide timely help to allow companies to focus on expanding their business and take on new staff.

Presiding Officer, this year marks the tenth anniversary of Small Business Saturday. It's a great opportunity to highlight the vital role small businesses play in their communities and, essentially, in creating jobs. But, we should also recognise and applaud the courage and enterprise of those who decide to set up their own businesses, because without them, we would be all the much poorer. Thank you.