Committee publication · Correspondence · 28 January 2026 · HC 444, HC 560
Correspondence from Rebecca Evans MS, dated 13 January, relating to the evidence session on 10 December, in English and Welsh.
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, responds to follow-up questions from the Welsh Affairs Committee on inward investment strategy and industrial regeneration. She outlines Wales's key investment objectives, marketing mechanisms, resource allocation, navigation of devolved powers, UK-Welsh Government collaboration, and plans to support former industrial areas through newly announced AI Growth Zones with skills development initiatives.
Key findings
- Welsh Government promotes Wales via dedicated inward investment team, overseas networks, and professional marketing; held Wales Investment Summit 2025 with 350 delegates from 29 countries, 43% with no prior Wales presence.
- Inward investment support is delivered through multiple teams and funding streams across Welsh Government rather than a single dedicated budget; specific financial allocation figures not provided.
- Welsh Government explains Wales's devolved competencies (20 legislative areas under Schedule 7 of the Government of Wales Act 2006) to prospective investors early in engagement to clarify decision-making powers and policy levers.
- Close collaboration with UK Government, particularly Department for Business and Trade, to ensure Wales receives 'fair share' of UK Government representation and is promoted both individually and as part of UK-first investor propositions.
- AI Growth Zones announced for North and South Wales include skills development and career pathway activities for working-aged adults in former industrial areas; Ford engine plant site in Bridgend subject to multi-billion-pound rejuvenation plans as part of South Wales AIGZ.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Rebecca Evans, Ruth Jones, Welsh Government, UK Government, Department for Business and Trade, Ford, Office of Investment
Notable line
“43% of all delegates had no existing presence in Wales demonstrating the interest shown by companies who wanted to learn more about Wales.”
Key Quotes
“Attracting inward investment to Wales is one of the Welsh Government's key priorities to drive economic growth.”
“One of the first conversations with investors focuses on explaining Wales's devolved competencies, including our ability to legislate across 20 areas as set out in Schedule 7 of the Government of Wales Act”
“Our International Strategy makes it clear that we will work with UK Government departments to ensure we receive our fair share of UK Government representation and that Wales is included both individually and as part of any 'UK - first' proposition for investors.”
“… the former industrial site of the Ford engine plant in Bridgend is already subject to plans for rejuvenation and multi-billion-pound investment as part of the South Wales AIGZ.”
“The Welsh Government's plans for initiatives associated with the AIGZs have skills development and career pathway activities as part of a core deliverable.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗