- The deal negotiated with the US protects thousands of car
making jobs and supports growth in the Welsh aerospace industry.
- Secretary of State for Wales, , in Toronto and New York to
drive further inward investment to Wales
Welsh Secretary is this week (22-25 July) travelling to the United
States and Canada on a mission to boost trade and investment in
Wales. The two countries are among the most significant markets
for Welsh exports, with goods and services worth over £2 billion
destined for the US and Canada each year.
Trade and investment between Wales and North America supports
over 50,000 Welsh jobs. With the significant economic links
between the countries, the US and Canada provides Welsh
businesses with great opportunities to grow and prosper. The
visit follows the signing of the UK's economic prosperity deal
with the US in May, protecting businesses and securing jobs
across the country, and boosting key sectors in Wales like steel,
aerospace, car making and life sciences.
Car manufacturer Aston Martin, which has a base in St Athan in
the Vale of Glamorgan employing at least 600 people, resumed
exports to the United States following the successful trade deal.
The Welsh Secretary will visit the new Aston Martin showroom in
New York City and meet executives.
Jo Stevens' visit to North America comes after the UK
Government's publication of its Industrial Strategy and aims to
highlight Wales as a key destination for inward investment into
the UK.
During the visit the Welsh Secretary will raise awareness of this
December's Investment Summit in Wales, encouraging North American
business leaders and investors to participate in the event.
Driving investment into Wales is the Welsh Secretary's primary
goal, with high profile business facing events and roundtable
meetings with industry leaders and investors in Toronto and New
York.
Her programme includes:
-
Hosting a reception for business at Aston Martin's new
showroom in New York City
-
Meeting key Canadian businesses with an interest in Wales –
including from manufacturing and other sectors – at a
roundtable meeting in Toronto.
-
A business breakfast with investors in sport real estate in
the UK in New York.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Secretary of State for Wales said:
There are strong and important economic and cultural ties between
Wales and North America and it is fantastic to be able to promote
these and help strengthen them further.
The UK Government has made economic growth our key mission and
our new trade deal with the United States delivers fantastic
benefits for our key businesses like Aston Martin and for working
people across Wales.
I want to build on this progress and while I am in the USA and
Canada I will be discussing further opportunities for investment
in Wales with companies like Aston Martin.
My message is very clear – Wales is open for business.
Deputy Trade Commissioner for North America, Alan Gogbashian
said:
From sports economy firms to the automotive industry, Wales plays
a key role in the UK economy, and has strong trade and investment
ties with Canada and the United States.
It's fantastic to host the Secretary of State for Wales in New
York and Toronto this week to engage with current transatlantic
businesses including Aston Martin, and to connect with potential
investors ahead of the Investment Summit in Wales later this
year.
The Welsh Secretary's itinerary also includes a reception in
Toronto with business and cultural groups with interests in Wales
and meetings with individual investors in Wales like Vale
Mining.
The Welsh Secretary travels to Toronto on Tuesday, 22 July and
then onto New York City before returning to the UK on 25 July.
