As reported elsewhere on this site the Welsh Economy and Transport Minister has been under some pressure recently. In particular he has had to explain away two reports that have heavily criticised the Welsh Assembly Government’s overseas business promotion arm.
One of these reports concluded that International Business Wales has significantly underperformed in the United States, Asia and some parts of Europe over the past five years. The Minister has also unveiled a new vision for the economy that involved investment in skills whilst at the same time supporting an Assembly budget that cut funding to Universities and further education by 5%.
To hold a debate on the day that these reports were published on the Government’s proposals for focussing and prioritising business support for a post-recession economy then, was either extreme foolishness or an act of bravery.
But at least he could depend on his own Plaid Cymru AMs to back him up, or could he? One Plaid Assembly Member seemed a bit confused as to how best to support his party leader.
In the middle of a pre-prepared speech Mohammed Ashgar was interrupted and challenged as to how an independent Wales would fare any better. He ignored the question and instead underlined the problem identified by the report into the IBW:
Mohammad Asghar: I will give you an example of why Wales is not getting inward investment, and I want Alun to understand this. I was in India and Pakistan six months ago. I met nine vice-chancellors—six in India and three in Pakistan. Guess what? Wales is not in their university campus focus. [Interruption.]
The chamber erupted whilst the Deputy First Minister did his best to look disinterested, however if Mohammed Ashgar had noticed the problem on his travels, why had not the IBW?
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