IoD Wales responds to economy plan
By Andy Pearson
Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director – Wales for the Institute of Directors (IoD), was in the audience today as Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones launched a plan to radically transform the way it supports the Welsh economy.
The Welsh Assembly Government outlined a vision of making Wales “one of the best places in the world to live, to work and to thrive.”
Robert Lloyd Griffiths said: “We welcome the new direction announced by the Deputy First Minister today, 5 July, when he presented his Economic Renewal Plan. It follows a process where WAG has demonstrated a willingness to engage constructively with the business community and which has enabled IoD Wales and others to play a key role. IoD looks forward to that continuing.
“In particular we are encouraged by the WAG’s recognition that there needs to be greater emphasis on stimulating innovation and R&D and of the need to develop our higher level skills in Wales. These are essential areas if we are to stop and reverse the decline in economic performance in Wales relative to the rest of the UK as highlighted in our advice to WAG.
“While the reduction in direct support to businesses will cause concern to some of our members the IoD recognises that in a world of limited resources re-prioritisation toward other areas is justified. In particular we see the need to protect and expand infrastructure spending, as highlighted in our 10 point plan responding to the WAG’s consultation. We look forward to WAG giving effect to this need when taking its future spending decisions.
“We are pleased at the recognition the Deputy First Minister’s announcement has given to the role in economic development that can be played by departments within WAG which are not formally responsible for economic development. In particular:
- The vital role effective public procurement can play in enhancing business opportunities
- The importance of the planning system in facilitating economic development. While we welcome the proposals announced today we will continue to lobby for a significant reduction in the number of planning authorities in Wales. The issue is far too important to be devolved to 25 small separate authorities.
- The recognition of the role regulation can play in strangling entrepreneurship and business growth is welcomed, and we will be watching carefully for real signs of progress.
“IoD Wales looks forward to working with the WAG via the refreshed Business Partnership Council, and hope that the revised arrangements will demonstrate a real commitment across the range of WAG departments to work together for economic development in Wales, tackling problems of low productivity and high levels of economic inactivity, the key determinants of our relatively low levels of GDP per capita in Wales.
“IoD Wales is pleased at the proposals in the announcement to tackle the concerns of our members that engagement with business has become more bureaucratic since the winding up of the WDA.
“Our 10 point plan highlighted the importance of freeing decision-taking from bureaucracy and bringing private sector expertise more firmly into the delivery of economic development programmes.
“We will look carefully at whether the ERP delivers the necessary improvement.”
Tags: Business Partnership Council, Ieuan Wyn Jones, Institute of Directors, IOD, Robert Lloyd Griffiths
