Thank goodness for the Welsh rugby team. If it wasn’t for them we could be exposed to an endless stream of bad news stories.
Greece, the Euro and our banks are in crisis and, further down the chain, our economy suffers too. It’s no surprise, of course. We’ve known it’s been coming for several years.
This week we saw the worst unemployment figures increase again in Wales and the worst levels across the UK for more than 17 years.
It helps paint a gloomy picture of the economy overall and one which we do need to take on board. But the problem with reports that treat the Welsh economy as if it was a single entity is that they mask the very real success stories that exist right here in Wales.
A lot of people are left thinking that all businesses are suffering but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
The shortlists are currently being drawn up for Caerphilly Business Forum’s 10th Annual Awards in association with Coleg Gwent and I can tell you that there is no shortage of businesses or business people with great success stories to tell.
Many of them have had to jump through hoops and reinvent themselves to succeed but the standards this year are as impressive as ever. Outstanding growth, recruitment, new products, new services … and it’s happening right here on our doorstep in Caerphilly County Borough.
Yes the economic forecast is gloomy overall but the real story is that despite this, many businesses are still prospering and will continue to do so. And this is a very important message to get across.
Confidence plays a vital part in every business and the fortunes of the economy depend on it. Perhaps this makes our 10th Annual Awards celebration on November 11 more important and more significant than ever.
I can whole-heartedly recommend that anyone needing a “good news fix” should attend.
Andrew Diplock
Chairman, Caerphilly Business Forum
For more information about Caerphilly Business Forum and its events call 029 2125 1395 or email Natalie@cbforum.co.uk