Turkey kick-starts trade missions to sell Wales to the world
16 Jan 2013 04:52 PM
First Minister Carwyn Jones will take the message that Wales is open for business as he touches down in Turkey in the first of a number of trade mission and overseas missions for 2013.
He will be in Istanbul where he will hold talks with the Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and meet HDM Steel, an inward investor in Wales. The First Minister will also discuss the strong economic growth of Turkey with the Turkish Investment Agency, the British Chamber of Commerce and UK companies who have invested in the country.
The First Minister said:
“This year I will continue my commitment to make sure the Welsh Government does all it can to support our economy and help create jobs. I will sell the message to the world that Wales is ready and open to do business.
“That is why I will be personally leading a number of overseas visits and trade missions that begin with Turkey. Turkey has seen strong economic growth and is becoming an increasingly important player in the global economy.
“I want to explore the potential for expanding Wales’ economic links with the country and look forward to holding talks with the Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan.”
On the 25th of January the First Minister will be in Dublin to address the inaugural annual conference of the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce, which focuses on joint business opportunities between the UK and the Republic.
San Francisco and the west coast of the United States will be the focus of a trade mission in February. The First Minister will head to New York in March and in June will travel to Japan, a country with deep economic and business links with Wales.
The First Minister added:
“In the coming weeks other Ministers will be announcing their own series of visits abroad as part of our drive to open new doors for Wales, promoting our brand and showing a global audience what we have to offer.
“The wider world is central to increasing Wales’ prosperity. It is the duty of the Welsh Government to do all it can to promote Wales on the global stage and make our own opportunities.
“It is in our national interest to be seen on the international stage. These trade missions and overseas visits are about us making our own opportunities. They are about us being bold and showing a confident face to the world.”