- 25/03/2013
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
Assembly Member Joyce Watson invited Business Minister Edwina Hart to meet local business leaders in Milford Haven on Thursday (14 March) to discuss progress in the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone and the support available to help companies grow.
The meeting, held at the Honeyborough Business Park, was attended by representatives from local companies including engineering and construction businesses, including Simon Safety & Lifting Centre Ltd, Providence Training and Rhyal Engineering.
Mrs Watson said:
“It was a very constructive meeting. There was a lot of consensus about how government and business can work together to create jobs and growth in Pembrokeshire – through investment in training and infrastructure and by delivering targeted support.”
Last year the Welsh Government established the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone as one of seven Welsh Enterprise Zones created to strengthen the competitiveness of the Welsh economy – creating jobs and sustainable growth. The Zone was recently extended and includes the immediate Haven area and surrounding areas of Honeyborough, Thornton and Haverfordwest Airport.
Mrs Hart said:
“The Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone is of strategic importance and has a unique offering, with around 30% of the UK’s energy supplies coming in via Pembrokeshire.
“Large multinationals such as Valero, Murco, Dragon, South Hook and RWE are based here but also, and very importantly, indigenous UK and Welsh energy companies are investing in Pembrokeshire with more than 2,500 people directly employed and well over 1,000 other jobs in the supply chain and services to the energy sector.
“The Haven Enterprise Zone offers the opportunity to build on existing and potential new energy sites and the Welsh Government is providing support for businesses with growth potential.”
Support available to businesses located or investing in the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone includes a business rate scheme, access to the Superfast Cymru Broadband network (currently being rolled out) and Enhanced Capital Allowances at specific locations.
For more information contact Joyce Watson’s office on 02920 898972 or at www.joycewatson.co.uk
