By Mitchell Gadd
A lack of confidence and clear and consistent offering has held Wales back from fulfilling its export and inward investment potential. That was the message from businesses and politicians this week at a debate held to discuss the Welsh international trade scene.
Hosted by the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, the Wales and the World Debate saw more than 60 attendees converge on the University of South Wales’ Atrium in Cardiff to share their own views and experiences about exports and inward investment for Wales, as well as pose questions to a panel of politicians.
BBC Business Correspondent, Sarah Dickins, chaired a panel made up of the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates; Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies; Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Business, Economy, Science and Development, Alun Ffred Jones; Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Enterprise, Transport, Europe and Business, Eluned Parrott; and Dr Martin Rhisiart, director of the Centre for Research in Futures and Innovation at the University of South Wales.
In a ‘Question Time-style’ debate, the audience posed questions on subjects ranging from the need for better language skills in Wales, school and university curriculums, promoting Wales overseas, the impact of an electrified line from Swansea to Paddington and the ownership of Cardiff Airport.
The issue of inward investment was a hotly debated one, with Parrott stressing a need for consistency and a clear, defined message to help attract investment, pointing to the closure of the Welsh Development Agency and the confusing nature of various incarnations of government support.
Davies agreed. “The offer has changed all the time and there is a need for stability,” he added, highlighting constant changes in policy as being detrimental to encouraging investment in the Welsh economy.
Rhisiart added that “we are only now realising the mistake we have made” and Wales is now playing catch-up having “lost” five years after the closure of the WDA. Arguing against its closure, he said there are always going to be high and low periods in investment, but that “you wouldn’t shut down the NHS if fewer people got sick.”
With the Welsh Government now increasing its international drive through frequent trade missions, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies AM challenged Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates AM, on the low attendance at some.
Davies argued: “We do support the trade missions, but they are political focused, not business focused. We need to find out what businesses want and then decide on a schedule of missions, rather than pick somewhere and then ring around our businesses to find support.”
While Davies argued that promoting the success of Wales’s higher education system, its lower corporation tax, and putting in place a sound economy is important, Parrott was keen to stress the power of sport in selling Wales to the world. “Having two Premier League football teams will have far more impact than trade missions,” she said.
Both Skates, pointing to the Welsh Government’s sponsorship of Cardiff City, and Jones agreed, advising that Wales needs to capitalise on the increasing profile of Gareth Bale.
On the subject of what is holding Wales back from increasing its export activity, the panel were in agreement that a lack of experience and, thus, confidence was a major factor, and that learning from other businesses who had achieved export success was crucial to addressing this.
The debate closed on issues of transport, initially on the ownership of Cardiff Airport, with both Davies and Rhisiart agreeing that roots were the most important issue, before the conversation switched to Wales’s proximity to London and the electrification of the railway line from Swansea to Paddington.
“I do think it’s a fantastic investment,” said Davies, “but don’t forget that Swindon, Bristol and Reading are all on the same line and will want a piece of the action too. Being close to one of the 10 major world cities is a massive opportunity, and we must open our arms to it.”
Parrott also stressed that the electrification of the line should be celebrated and that being under the two-hour barrier was a major boost “psychologically”.
South Wales Chamber of Commerce director, Graham Morgan, said: “It was a real coup to have such high-profile politicians and academics on the panel, as well as a highly-regarded broadcast journalist such as Sarah chairing proceedings.
“The debate was very lively and covered a lot of ground, and it was great to see the audience become so involved in discussions. I’m sure we could have continued long into the night had time permitted us.”
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