Unemployment in Wales has fallen by 6,000 according to latest figures from the the Office for National Statistics.
The number of people out of work between January and March this year was 6,000 less than the previous quarter and 12,000 less than the same period last year.
Unemployment in Wales now stands at 121,000, a rate of 8.2%.
Welsh Secretary David Jones welcomed the figures.
He said: “These figures are very good for Wales. They demonstrate that the there are clear signs of growth within Wales. But we would be foolhardy to suggest that the hard work is over.
“I know from talking to businesses across Wales that they are increasingly optimistic about the future and I think this is shown in today’s rise of 16,000 more people in employment.
“Wales is in a global race and it is one in which we cannot afford to be spectators. I am confident that measures being put in place by the UK Government, such as the National Insurance Contributions Bill, will further benefit Welsh companies by creating a more favourable economic climate in which they can do business.”
Responding to the latest unemployment figures, Federation of Small Businesses Welsh Policy Unit Chair Janet Jones said: “It is very positive news to see that unemployment in Wales has fallen by 6,000 on the previous quarter, and that the number of economically active people in Wales is up by 10,000 over the same period.
“Small businesses are a key driver of job creation in Wales. As it is often said, if every small business in Wales took on a new member of staff tomorrow, we would have full employment.
“The past month has been particularly difficult for the large business sector in Wales, with 430 job losses as a result of the administration of Rowecord, and the £1bn write-down in the value of Tata Steel’s European operations. If we are to see unemployment continue to fall we need to ensure that small businesses are able to create jobs to replace those lost elsewhere.”