WIREDGOV

The Economy Minister has welcomed the latest export figures which show Wales has outperformed the other UK countries over the past year. 

The 2014 Q1 goods export figures from the HMRC show that Wales had the highest rate of increase for exports of the four UK countries for the annual period ending March 2014 and the second largest increase of all UK countries and regions over the same period.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:

“This is another positive indication that the Welsh economy is outperforming other parts of the UK. International trade has always been a priority for us and since 1999 there has been a 129.1% increase in Welsh exports, the largest of the UK countries and English regions.

“Next week we will be sending a trade mission to South Africa - timed to coincide with the Welsh rugby team’s summer tour to build on our raised profile at that time. This is one of a series of overseas trade missions and exhibitions in 18 different countries across the globe this year.

 
“We also have a comprehensive programme of support in place to help businesses to develop existing and new export markets. The international market is also important on terms of attracting inward investment projects to Wales and we are setting the pace there also with the number of investment projects increasing by almost 200% last year, according to UKTI figures.”