A report which aims to provide leadership, vision and strategic direction for the South East Wales region has been published by the Cardiff Capital Region advisory board.
Covering ten local authorities with a combined population of over 1.5 million, the “Powering the Welsh Economy” report addresses key issues of physical and digital connectivity, skills and innovation, growth and establishing a clear and positive identity for the region.
Chaired by the chief executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, the Cardiff Capital Region board was established by Economy Minister Edwina Hart in November 2013 to advise the Minister on setting priorities to create a dynamic region of connected communities and places planning their future together and maximising opportunities.
The board has spent the last year speaking to local and national government, educational outlets and businesses across the region alongside evidence from experts to produce the report which sets out the future direction for the Cardiff Capital Region, including a proposed Metro transport system.
Launching the report at the new City of Cardiff Marketing Suite in Cardiff Bay, Mr Lewis said: “The Cardiff Capital Region aims to bring together businesses, the education sector, ten local authorities and the Welsh Government to develop and promote South East Wales as a great place to live, work and do business.
“In researching and writing the report, our journey has taken us to all ten local authority areas in the region and we have talked to a wide range of people, businesses, organisations and experts in the field. The result is a report which will help shape the region to succeed in a future driven by technological change and knowledge.
“The report sets out the direction in which we want to move – towards a region that is globally connected, at the centre of a thriving Welsh economy and a great place to live and work. It is very clear on setting out the case for change.
“We expect a range of partners from the public and private sectors to think and act differently to respond to the changing global economy; technological advances and emerging business practices so that we can boost the economic performance of a region which has the potential to offer so much more to its people, businesses and communities, and indeed the rest of Wales.
“We live in a region with so much untapped potential; I firmly believe our best days are yet to come. We just have to have the confidence and ambition to lift our heads and believe that we can do better, that we can succeed.”
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