Latest export success for Wales welcomed by Economy Minister
6 Jun 2014 03:35 PM
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.”