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First Minister to celebrate strong economic and historic links with the USA

The First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones yesterday flew to the United States of America to celebrate and build on the strong economic and historic links Wales has with America.

During the three day visit, the First Minister will be in Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York for a series of meetings, events and announcements promoting Wales ahead of St David’s Day.

While in Washington the First Minister will attend a special St David’s Day reception on Capitol Hill with the Friends of Wales Caucus, a group of US Congressmen with strong Welsh links who promote Wales in Washington.

During the First Minister’s time in Philadelphia he will attend a meeting of the British American Business Council.

While visiting New York the First Minister will meet OrthoClinical Diagnostics in New Jersey, a company with Welsh interests due to their manufacturing centre in Cardiff. He will also attend a St David’s Day reception and will be visiting the New York Stock exchange to meet companies with Welsh connections.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“From the Welsh settlers who moved to America to build new lives to the companies who now recognise Wales as a fantastic place to do business - we’re proud to have such a strong relationship with the United States.

“There are 270 US owned companies in Wales and the value of Welsh exports to the USA in 2013 was over £3billion, that’s a 400% increase since 1999. The USA continues to be Wales’s top export destination by far. These are figures we want to build and improve on, that’s one of the main reasons for my visit.

“During the Nato summit Wales got publicity that money cannot buy. President Obama told the world that Wales is a country of extraordinary beauty, wonderful people and great hospitality and his message to Americans was to choose Wales for their holidays.

“I look forward to visiting the US to spread this message and to put Wales firmly on the world map.”

Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Matthew W. Barzun said yesterday:

“The First Minister’s visit helps to remind us of the invaluable contributions the Welsh have made to America and of the more than two million people living in the U.S. today who can trace their roots back to Wales.

“But our enduring friendship goes far beyond these ancient ties of ancestry.  As I’ve seen for myself first hand, every day we jointly promote our shared values in the world, engage in vibrant cultural exchange, and benefit from a healthy trade and investment relationship that supports jobs for both our people.

“I’m thrilled that the First Minister is visiting the United States to strengthen this robust relationship between our countries.  And I can promise him a welcome as warm as the one Wales gave President Obama last year.  Siwrne Saff!”     

 

Channel website: http://gov.wales

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