Minister backs calls for a North East Wales Investment Zone

Wales’s economy minister has thrown his support behind a proposal for a North East Wales Investment Zone, an initiative aimed at strengthening Flintshire’s advanced manufacturing sector and creating more opportunities for skills development.

The endorsement came after Jack Sargeant MS, a Member of the Senedd (MS) representing Alyn and Deeside, raised the issue in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday.

The proposed investment zone could help further solidify Flintshire’s position as a hub for cutting-edge industry.

High-profile employers in the region, such as Airbus and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), share a vision of enhancing the skilled workforce and talent pipeline in North East Wales.

During the Senedd session, Jack Sargeant MS emphasised the importance of this endeavor, stating, “This is what the future looks like, minister: delivering the next generation of skills to manufacture the next generation of carbon-neutral products we need.”

Economy minister Vaughan Gething MS responded positively to the proposal, indicating a willingness to collaborate with the UK Government to make the investment zone a reality.

He emphasised the importance of having a well-skilled workforce and the need for investment in education to meet the demands of businesses, saying, “One of the key challenges investors are always looking for, for businesses of every size and every sector, is, ‘Have you got the people? Have you got the skills? Are you investing in the skills of people in the future?'”

While discussions regarding the specifics of the investment zone are ongoing, the prospect of its establishment is generating interest not only in North East Wales but also among other stakeholders.

The minister acknowledged that multiple investment zones could be considered but emphasised that no definitive decisions have been made yet.

Jack Sargeant MS, a trained engineer, expressed his appreciation for the minister’s support and called for inter-governmental cooperation to realise the proposal.

He said, “As a trained engineer myself, I understand the importance of advanced manufacturing to Flintshire’s economy. I welcome the minister’s support and want to see governments working together to make this happen.”