WIREDGOV

They will be:

• Cardiff Central Business District - with a particular focus on the Financial Services sector.
• Ynys Mon – focussed on the energy sector
• Deeside – with a focus on the advanced manufacturing sector
• St Athan – with a focus on the aerospace sector
• Ebbw Vale – with a focus on the automotive sector
  

Mrs Hart said:

“Since taking up office, I have been considering the best way for the Welsh Government to encourage the economy and support businesses.  

“As part of our economic policy agenda we will be introducing Enterprise Zones in Wales. However, let me be clear at the outset, this is not a replication of previous Enterprise Zones, which evaluation has shown had very mixed results.

“We will take a bespoke approach to each location and will deploy a selective approach to the policy interventions, using some in some locations and not in others.  This is because we need to get best value from the very modest consequential funding of approximately £10m from the UK Government.

“We have an opportunity to take a targeted approach in Wales and design a bespoke Welsh solution that doesn’t just automatically replicate the approach taken in England.

“In taking forward this policy on Enterprise Zones, I am not losing sight of the very real economic challenges faced by other areas of Wales. Therefore, whilst these are the preferred locations, in the first stage, we remain open to opportunities as they arise in other areas of Wales where we are already in discussion with local partners.  

“We will also continue to deliver on our commitments to strengthen the conditions that will enable business to create jobs and sustainable economic growth across Wales.”