Upbeat Cairns welcomes visit by Board of Trade
AMEETING OF THE UK Government’s Board of Trade will be held in Swansea later this year, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns has confirmed.
The board was set up last year by Trade Secretary Liam Fox bringing together figures from business and politics to help boost exports and increased foreign direct investment into the UK.
The board, whose representatives from Wales are former chairman of the WDA and Cardiff Airport Lord Rowe-Beddoe and one of the founders of FTSE 100 business Admiral, Heather Stevens, will meet at Swansea University on November 15.
Mr Cairns, who this evening will be speaking at the Swansea Research and Innovation Awards, said: “The Board of Trade champions exports, inward investment and outward direct investment to deliver economic growth and prosperity across the whole of the United Kingdom.
“I am fortunate to be joined on the board by two expert business advisers in Lord Rowe-Beddoe and Heather Stevens, as well as a host of other business people, politicians and leaders in the charity sector from across the UK.
“The board is working to make it easier for the 3,800 Welsh businesses that currently export to find new markets – and to encourage other companies to take their first steps as exporters.
“And Swansea University, which has been adept at forging business and academia into something new and highly saleable, is the perfect venue to host this meeting.”
Mr Cairns said the UK Government has been clear that post-Brexit it will continue to co-operate on matters of mutual interest with the EU, including in scientific research and innovation and cultural exchanges.
He added: “We’ve already announced that we are committed to the principle that UK-based universities and researchers will be continuing to take part in Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ for the lifetime of their projects, despite our departure from the EU.
“This is a major piece of ongoing work and my ministerial team in Wales will keep talking to chancellors and a host of people in the academic world as we look to maximise the opportunities for our educational institutions as we leave the EU.”
And he said Wales is in a strong position to exploit opportunities postBrexit.
Mr Cairns added: “Just look at Aston Martin, who export 60% of the vehicles outside the EU, and who are gearing up for production of the new SUV in St Athan.
“There’s the new daily flight from Cardiff to Qatar, which opens up the Middle East and Australasia to Welsh businesses. Toyota, Honda and BMW are investing in their UK bases in a move which will support the 163 Welsh component manufacturers who are members of the Welsh Automotive Forum.
“The export picture is equally bright. Airbus is making and exporting more wings than ever. Welsh industry leader Hydro is exporting its water purification technology to areas like Sudan, Somalia and India, and Welsh animator Clothcat is selling its programmes to China, Disney and Netflix.”