The message that Wales is open for business is the focus of First Minister Carwyn Jones’ St David’s Day message for 2013.
As Wales celebrates its national day, Welsh Government Ministers will be at events across the world promoting the country as a place to invest, visit and trade with.
The First Minister has hosted a special St David’s Day event in Brussels and is today in Barcelona, while Business Minister Edwina Hart is promoting Wales in LA, the hub of the creative industries in America. On the East Coast of the USA Welsh food will be served at a special event at the British Consulate in New York
The Heritage Minister Huw Lewis will be in China, where he is strengthening Wales’ existing links with the Chinese regions of Beijing and Chongqing. In London, Education Minister Leighton Andrews has been building links and raising Wales’s profile with the representatives of foreign governments based there.
The First Minister said: “Wales is a unique place. Everyone who lives here, visits here, studies here, or does business here already knows that. We all know the advantages that Wales offers, but it’s an important part of my job as First Minister to tell the people who don’t know, exactly what they are missing.
“We are competing in a crowded international market place. Whether it’s promoting trade and investment, attracting tourism or encouraging overseas students to come and study here, our distinctive qualities and the talent we have here are crucial to selling what we have to offer abroad.
“So on St David’s Day we celebrate ourselves, our country and our culture. St David’s life is shrouded in myth and legend, but we get a picture of a man willing to stand up for what he felt was right. The stories passed down through the generations portray a man who was, for his time, outward-looking, well-travelled. He was a man not afraid to reach out and create links overseas.
“There are lessons here for modern Wales. We too have to be outward-looking and reach out overseas. We have stand out, be bold and confident about what we have to offer. We have to get ourselves out in the wider world with a clear message: Wales is ready and open to do business.
“We promote Wales because we are committed to do all we can to support our economy and help create jobs here in Wales. We can’t wait for the world to come knocking at our door; we have to get out and show them our wares, and tell them what we have to offer.
“I am committed to doing this and so are all Welsh Government Ministers. We will be selling Wales overseas at events organised to coincide with St David’s Day as part of our drive to open new doors for Wales, promote our brand and show a global audience what we have to offer.
“The most famous quote attributed to St David is “Gwnewch y pethau bychain” – do the small things. This Welsh Government is committed to doing everything it can, big things and small, to support our economy and champion business in Wales and we’ll seek out every opportunity, where ever in the world, to do that.”