ITWales.com

Welsh Assembly launches new business support model

The Welsh Assembly has launched a new business support model, which is due to be unveiled today by deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Some of the features of the model include the introduction of a single contact number for all businesses seeking Assembly support and a single investment fund, worth £92 million, to replace the former capital grants scheme, the Western Mail reported.

In addition, the number of customer relation managers at the Assembly available for businesses to speak to is set to rise from the current 50 to around 200 over the next few years.

Mr Jones was reported in the newspaper as saying: "Developed in consultation with businesses and business organisations, ‘flexible support for business’ demonstrates our determination for Wales to continue to set the pace in creating the best environment where both indigenous businesses and inward investors can thrive."

The director of CBI Wales, David Rosser, told the Western Mail that he supported the changes.

In a recent survey of Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises by accountancy practice Mazuma, many called on the Assembly to provide a better network of support agencies and cut red tape.

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