MP acts to encourage German investors to City

Geraint Davies, MP for Swansea West, is working with Swansea University to help encourage inward investment from Germany to our city.

Recently returned from a visit to Berlin and Dusseldorf Geraint Davies has met up with Swansea Universitiy's Vice Chancellor Richard Davies so that recently made contacts with German industry can be networked into plans in Fabian Way for an emerging R&D focused business cluster there.

"UK Trade & Investment - the Government Agency established to promote Britain for inward investors have found that the abolition of Regional Development Agencies in England means that leads to inward investors are not being taken up so this is a great opportunity for Swansea. The University has been taking the lead in Swansea and provides a major pull for inward investors wanting R&D collaboration and local skills." said Geraint Davies

 "In addition I've been inconsultation with the Chief Executive of German Industries UK which represents German inward investors in Britain so they can again consider Swansea".

 "Rail electrification hasn't reached Swansea yet but the travel time from London has been reduced by 20 minutes. That means with our fantastic coastline - including access to the Gower peninsular - and a good skills base Swansea is well placed for inward investment. But this means doing the work - whether it's getting on the phone, on the train or on the plane - to make it happen."

 "Our city has all the ingredients for success, but we need to get active and look for opportunities.
Mr Davies, proposed that the UK Government's Welsh Affairs Select Committee, on which he serves publishes recommendations after taking evidence on inward investment into Wales.
"I'm also using the work on inward investment to make contacts and help create jobs. Talking and reports is one thing, the key is action. Swansea had everything to attract inward investors, but it is necessary to go out and look for them and set up the links."

"Swansea has a very bright future ahead of it. We have everything here, a good environment and good infrastructure, but we need to set up the links to help to create a sustainable and diverse economy in Swansea."

 "Investors can take advantage of the bright graduates and help to keep that growing skill base in Swansea.It's also important we continue to have good schools in Swansea because that will attract investors to the city. That's an important factor for people relocating to a new city,"

Photo Geraint Davies at Deutche Bahn (which owns Germany's railways and Europe's rail freight including EWS in UK) with select committee chair David Davies.