Follow Germany’s example on SMEs
FOLLOWING the so-called “Act of Union” Wales was ruled, very oppressively, for centuries, as an English colony by, initially, the English Crown, and then by Westminster and the all-powerful, London-centric Establishment. Several aspects of this dominance still remain, including significant ownership of our land, even after 20 years of devolution (which I fully support), though this has been, and continues to be, a very tortuous process.
Regarding ownership of our businesses, well, we are, in effect, “owned by others” – eg most of our earnings end up in the pockets of non-Welsh firms – food, drinks, supermarkets, clothes, household goods, energy supplies, fuel, homes, mortgages, insurances, media, holidays etc.
Far too often our small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) sell out to “external predators” for shortterm gains, instead of staying indigenous, growing and keeping the profit centres here to benefit our economy. Germany’s SMEs (the powerful Mittelstand) don’t sell out to foreign firms. With the support of their government, they have stayed indigenous, grown and become the backbone of the very successful German economy.
Why haven’t we done the same? Because of public apathy and a lack of determination and direction from our Assembly and Government. Being owned by others must result in a severe lack of pride and confidence. Without this, and the corresponding lack of respect from other nations, how on earth can we develop to become a strong, effective small nation?
As a civil engineer, builder and retired proprietor of a small SME, I was appalled to learn that our major civil engineering firm, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd (£150m annual turnover) has recently sold out to Tarmac. As such, the haemorrhage continues and as usual, there have been no adverse reactions from the public or from our Assembly and Government, just a tacit acceptance that we are owned by others. We deserve to be in this shameful situation, which contributes to Wales remaining, in many ways, the poorest “region” in the UK.
Gareth Davies
Pontardawe