News story: Cutting-edge technology innovation: apply for business funding

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Businesses can apply for a share of £15 million to support disruptive innovation in any technology area with potential to generate growth.

Innovate UK has up to £15 million for game-changing, cutting-edge or disruptive innovation projects that leads to new products, processes or services.

The open programme

This funding is part of a regular series of open competitions that support good ideas with market potential, no matter where they come from.

Projects can come from any technology, science, engineering or industrial area. They can fit in with any of Innovate UK’s priority sectors – emerging and enabling technologies, health and life sciences, infrastructure systems, and manufacturing and materials – or be outside.

Funding is available for a wide range of projects, from feasibility studies to experimental development that is closer to market.

Priority will be given to proposals that are likely to lead to sustainable growth in productivity or develop products and services that will access new markets overseas. All projects should demonstrate the potential to generate commercial impact and economic growth.

Competition information

  • the competition is open, and the deadline for registration is 9 August 2017
  • projects must be led by a business, either working alone or with partners
  • total project costs can range between £25,000 and £1 million, and projects can last between 6 and 36 months
  • businesses could attract up to 70% of their eligible costs, depending on their size and the type of project
  • only one project application may be submitted per applicant per competition round

Economy Secretary congratulates Welsh businesses on export success

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The recently published Welsh exports statistics for April 2016 to March 2017 show  that exports in Wales were  up by 11.9 per cent  on the previous year with a rate of growth that was  0.7 per cent above the UK average.  

This means the value of Welsh exports in 2016/17 increased by £1,390 million on the previous financial year. 

The statistics show that Germany remained Wales’ top exporting partner in 2016/17 with total exports valued at £2,978m. It was  followed by France (with total Welsh exports of £2,242m)  and the USA including Puerto Rico (with total Welsh exports of   £1,676m.)

The quarterly statistics also reveal that exporting companies in Wales got off to a strong start to the year with exports for the period from January to March 2017 growing by £150m on the previous quarter.

This equates to an increase of 4.4 per cent on October to December figures and represents a growth rate that is more  than two and half times the 1.6 per cent rate of increase experienced in the UK as a whole. 

 

Ken Skates said: 

 

“These latest figures show a really strong performance from our exporting companies, with a growth rate that is well above the UK average. 

 

“Welsh companies are clearly working hard to increase their share of the overseas markets and I would like to congratulate them on their ongoing hard work and success. 

 

“Exporting really does have the potential to transform a business and take it to next level. That is why we are working closely with companies who are looking to build up this area of their operations and offer them the right support for wherever they may be in their journey. 

 

“Indeed in the coming months we will be taking companies from across Wales to a broad range of overseas markets including Singapore, USA, Canada and India so they explore new trading opportunities and agree new deals. 

 

“Increasing the value of exports and the number of exporters in Wales remains a central pillar of our economic strategy. This is more important than ever as we prepare to leave the EU and I would urge companies who would like help in growing their exports to get in touch with the Welsh Government for tailored support.”

 

View: http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/welsh-exports/?lang=en .

Meeting on Draft Ganga Bill Held

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The committee constituted to review the provisions of the draft National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Bill, 2017 held its meeting in New Delhi today. The meeting held under the chairmanship of Director General, NMCG Shri UP Singh discussed various aspects of the Bill specially the preamble