News from Welsh Labour

Wrexham AM calls for “change in culture” in Wales to boost entrepreneurship

A Labour Member of the Welsh Assembly, has called for a “change in culture” in Wales, to create the right conditions to allow entrepreneurship to flourish.

Wrexham’s AM, Lesley Griffiths, who made her call during a debate in the Senedd on priorities for a new Welsh economy, believes that the time has come for Wales to have less dependence on industry sectors such as agriculture and instead – with support from the Welsh Government – create a more business-friendly environment to allow small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to “take root” and grow.

The debate provided Assembly Members with an opportunity to look forward at how the Welsh economy has to adapt in order to become more competitive, more innovative and more ‘green’ in the future.

In her speech, Lesley Griffiths told colleagues:

“I would like to see the Government commit to more in the future in boosting entrepreneurship throughout the country. This is an area of growth in which historically, I believe, Wales has not really excelled in and for obvious reasons. For the last two hundred years the Welsh economy has predominantly depended on agriculture, heavy industry or mining.

“The culture of nurturing and stimulating SME growth is a relatively new phenomenon in Wales, yet one which I believe the Government would do well to further encourage and assist in the future. Whilst obviously not being in position to assist as yet, in the fiscal sense, there is much the Government could do to help Wales become a good place for entrepreneurship to flourish and also create more jobs in the future.

“I know great strides are being made to help companies grow, via Flexible Support for Business and offering practical help, however, I believe in the post-downturn phase the Government has a responsibility to take this support on to the next level to create an even more helpful environment for small business growth to take-off and prosper in Wales. In other words, we have to change the culture.

Commenting on how economic experts now point to models of wealth creation in the future, Ms Griffiths said:

“All serious economic predictions now suggest small business and R&D growth – and in increasing cases a combination of both – will be how Europe will grow its way out of this downturn.

“And this is where I would like to see Wales climb onto another economic level in helping to create a nation and an economic environment in which entrepreneurship is no longer a big deal, that it becomes something commonplace where fledgling companies can take root, create jobs and contribute to the nation’s wealth in a way never before experienced in Wales.”

Other news from Welsh Labour

• Carwyn Jones sends congratulations to new President of Ireland - 1 November 2011
• Decision day dash to save Wales from savage cuts - 5 May 2010
• Almost half Welsh Labour MPs come out for Carwyn Jones - 21 October 2009