April 2008
Single Investment Fund
goes live

Ieuan Wyn Jones

Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, announced on 16th April 2008, that the new Single Investment Fund has now gone live, replacing the current system of numerous capital grants and business support programmes.

With one single contact number for businesses (0300 060 3000) and only one application form to complete; the WAG plans to soon have in place up to 200 Assembly Government 'Business-facing' Customer Relationship Managers acting as sole points of contact for all businesses seeking support under the new scheme.

The single investment strategy was first unveiled by former Minister for the Economy and Transport Andrew Davies, but his successor Mr Jones has taken the project forward and ensured its delivery, with key support from director of policy and strategy at the department of the economy and transport James Price.

Underpinning the strategy is a desire to deliver a more customer focused approach to business support, giving companies what they want, rather than the traditional model of trying to marry their requirements to numerous and rigidly defined programme and grants.

RSA Cynru continues as an element of the scheme for those whose requirements are to seek grant funding for Capital Projects.

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FORD get Single Investment Fund Grant of £13.4M

Announcing a £70M Investment, Ford have decided that it will manufacture its 1.6litre low carbon petrol engines exclusively at Bridgend with the help of a £13.4M Single Investment Fund Grant from the Welsh Assembly Government. .

The move was described by First Minister, Mr Rhodri Morgan as a “shaft of light amid the gloom” for the Welsh economy, which has suffered hundreds of job losses across a range of sectors in the past six months.

He said that moving to the development and production of green technology could put Wales in a better position to cope with a tough economic environment.

The automotive sector plays a pivotal role in Wales’ economy. More than 200 companies employ about 23,000 people. But it has been hit by the slowdown as companies struggle to cope with the drop in demand for cars.

A day before the Ford announcement, Llanelli-based Calsonic Kansei had said it was making 60 of its staff redundant because of a fall in orders.

Mr Morgan said the future of car-making centred on business’s ability to innovate. “Even in a time of doom and gloom we are trying to get industry involved in investment and Ford is investing in new technology,” he said.

The new engines will go into production within two years. They will be up to 20% more fuel- efficient. It is hoped the decision will safeguard more than 600 jobs,

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Welsh Assembly Coalition Government Announced

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, unveiled his new Cabinet on 19th July 2007 as part of a major reorganisation following the formal coalition agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru.

The appointment of Ieuan Wyn Jones as Deputy First Minister was confirmed and he will also take responsibility for Economy and Transport as part of the changes announced.

The new administration is committed to creating the best environment in all parts of Wales for business to grow and flourish - commented Ieuan Wyn Jones subsequently during an early September two-day visit to companies and business organisations across North East Wales.

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Interbrew get £3.3M RSA

Iechyd da, Magor!

With the help of a £3.3M grant, Interbrew is investing £11m in a new state-of-the-art bottling facility at Magor near Newport, South Wales. The new operation to produce bottles of Stella Artois, will add to the £18.5m already invested in the plant, increasing production by 25% by 2006, and creating up to 100 jobs.

GRA worked closely with Interbrew UK to prepare the grant application, and advised in the negotiation of the successful RSA grant offered by the Welsh Assembly to enable Magor management to get project go ahead from its Belgian Board.

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