HC Deb 24 January 1990 vol 165 c693W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts are being made to strengthen Wales's chances of obtaining Japanese investment.

Mr. Peter Walker

Wales continues to be extremely successful in obtaining inward investment from Japan and has secured 19 projects promising over 2,000 jobs in the last two years. A number of measures have been introduced to further improve this excellent performance, including the setting up of a board of experienced business people to advise Welsh Development International; provision of additional staff for Welsh Development International, including two new deputy directors; and strengthening of their Tokyo office. I have myself undertaken two inward investment missions to Japan, the last in September 1989, and I regularly meet executives from Japanese companies. I was also pleased to officially open the new Centre for Japanese Studies, in Cardiff, in November 1989. There are good prospects for further investment from Japan.

Back to