Plaid Cymru AMs Leanne Wood and Chris Franks have welcomed ambitious plans to boost the private sector in Wales and make the country’s economy stronger and more diverse.
The AMs for the South Wales Central region were speaking following the launch of the Economic Renewal Programme this week by Plaid Leader and Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones. The programme seeks to move away from a reliance on huge grants to lure foreign investment and instead focus on improving infrastructure and six key sectors such as creative industries and life sciences.
Part of the programme’s pledge is to also introduce next-generation broadband technology to businesses in Wales by 2016 – ahead of the rest of the UK.
During questions to the First Minister in the Senedd, Ms Wood said: “We have seen ambitious plans to transform the Welsh economy unveiled this week and I hope that they will have a significant impact on job creation.
“Many people will welcome the ending of the grant culture whereby some multinational companies were able to take advantage of grants and then leave us in the lurch as soon as the aid comes to an end, or labour became cheaper elsewhere.
“I am also hoping that the next generation broadband and general improvements to our infrastructure will stimulate business growth in the South Wales Central region that I represent.
“If we are to mitigate against the inevitable job losses in the public sector and build a strong Welsh economy that is able to punch above its weight, job creation must be a priority.”
Carwyn Jones replied that the economic renewal programme was an important part of growing the private sector in Wales.
Chris Franks AM said afterwards: “I am confident that the Economic Renewal Plan will provide a big boost to the prospects of home-grown businesses. If we are able to implement this plan in full, Wales will become a much more attractive place in which to conduct business and, as a result, many jobs will be created.
“Plaid believes it is wrong that some areas of Wales do not have the infrastructure to compete on levels terms with other parts of the UK.
“Where the private sector has failed to deliver, the Welsh Assembly Government has wisely proposed to step in and improve services such as broadband and energy capacity.”
