New programme launches to boost Welsh exports

Welsh companies in five key sectors will be brought together to increase exports across the world, as part of a new programme being launched by economy minister Vaughan Gething.

The Export Cluster Programme is part of the wider Export Action Plan for Wales, which aims to create a strong and sustainable exporting sector to help strengthen the Welsh economy and safeguard and create jobs and opportunities for people.

Firms in Wales exported £17.8bn worth of goods in 2019 to markets across the world, with the EU being Wales’ most significant trading partner.

There were 106,015 businesses operating in Wales in 2019 but HMRC figures show that only around 5,243 of them exported goods that year.

The new programme is designed to bring companies together to develop their capacity and capabilities for exporting, developing support networks and working on a one-to-many basis to support export development and help ensure companies learn from each other and share knowledge.

Economy minister, Vaughan Gething, said: ‘The Welsh Government is committed to working with companies across Wales to help them create new jobs in the industries of the future. Exports of goods and services already contribute a significant amount to our economy. It is vital that we are able to maintain, and grow, this contribution in order to meet the challenges we face both now and in the future. That’s why we’re determined to improve Wales’ export performance even further, despite the challenges in the global trading environment in recent times.

‘The new Export Cluster Programme I am launching today is a crucial part of our Export Action Plan, which I believe is the most ambitious and comprehensive programme of export support ever put in place in Wales. It will support and reach out to more companies to develop their capacity and capabilities for exporting, helping them to develop new exporting opportunities in new international markets. This will help create economic growth, helping to create new and better jobs in our communities. This is all part of our mission to create a prosperous, fair, green economy in Wales.’

The new programme will work with companies in key sectors including technology, high value manufacturing, consumer products, clean energy and life sciences.

In related news, Scotland is in the strongest position to drive green economic growth, according to the UK’s Green Growth Index. 

Photo by Paul Teysen