Welsh Secretary meets with ASEAN London Committee
13 May 2014 03:50 PM
Topics up for discussion
included how to build on trade, education, tourism and investment links between
ASEAN countries and Wales, and opportunities open to Welsh businesses looking
to improve trade relationships with the ASEAN market.
Mr Jones said. “The UK is
transforming its relationships with countries across Asia. It is one of very
few European countries represented in every ASEAN country, at the heart of
which is Southeast Asia, one of the fastest growing regional economies in the
world.
“It was a valuable
opportunity to discuss with the ASEAN London Committee the opportunities open
to Welsh businesses and how we can expand on our links and ensure British
companies are being given the best opportunities to compete in the global
race.”
Mr Jones has visited Southeast
Asia three times, most recently Malaysia in February this
year, where he met key business and government leaders.
Wales has strong links in
Malaysia including with the International University of Malaya Wales, a partnership between the
University of Wales Trinity St David and the University of Malaysia. Mr Jones
is due to host an international delegation of 20 Malaysian students from the
international university in the coming weeks.
Also in February
this year he hosted the Indonesian Ambassador His Excellency Hamzah
Thayeb and a delegation from the Indonesian Embassy on a visit to north Wales.
The delegation met Welsh businesses with aspirations to trade internationally
and others already experiencing success in global markets.
Mr Jones said, “During my trip to
Indonesia last year and more recently to Malaysia, I saw the huge
opportunities that exist within these emerging markets and I urge businesses in
Wales to capitalise on opportunities to forge links with
them.”
Figures show that Welsh exports
to Asia and Oceania accounted for 11% of its total exports of goods in 2013,
and were valued at £1,670 million, an increase of £193 million
(13%) compared to 2012. The value of imports of goods to Wales from Asia and
Oceania was £1,461 million, an increase of £64 million (5%) during
the same period.