Jul62017

Press release: Sir Alan Duncan statement on the Venezuelan National Assembly attack

HM Government

The Rt. Hon Alan Duncan, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:

I deplore yesterday’s attack on the democratically elected Venezuelan National Assembly and the aggression towards MPs by pro-government supporters. This unchecked violence is contemptible and unacceptable. I urge the Venezuelan Government to take appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of the National Assembly and all MPs.

The continued escalation of violence and lack of protection provided by Venezuelan law enforcement organisations to the National Assembly is a threat to the principles of democracy. I call on the Venezuelan Government to respect Venezuela’s Constitution and the inviolability of its democratic institutions.

Jul62017

Tourism industry confident for the summer holidays with legendary summer of sport providing a boost.

Welsh Government

During Whitsun bank holiday and half term, most sectors of the industry welcomed an increased number of visitors compared to the same period last year, 32% reported an increase in visitors.

At the beginning of June, football fans flocked to Cardiff and the surrounding area for the men’s and women’s UEFA Champions League Finals. Business boomed for many, with 41% in the South East reporting more visitors over the bank holiday – 47% of these said the football matches contributed to the lift.

Another major event supported by the Welsh Government takes place this Sunday as the third Velothon gets underway, which will see around 10,000 cyclists taking on the challenging routes in a closed road sportive.

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, said: 

“Spectators in Wales usually give visitors and home-grown competitors, alike, a real warm Welsh welcome for the Velothon – this makes for a fantastic atmosphere. With the legendary performance by Geraint Thomas in making history this week by becoming the first Welshman to wear the famous yellow jersey, I’m sure that many will be inspired by his efforts and will be looking to make their own legend this weekend.  Our summer of sport continues as we host the Seniors Open later this month. We’re looking forward to welcoming back some of the golfing world’s biggest players with Bernhard Langer back on the course he won on in 2014 and facing the likes of Tom Watson, Colin Montgomerie and home favourites such as Ian Woosnam and Phil Price.  

“Already this year we have successfully hosted the giants of Real Madrid and Juventus on the UEFA Champions League Final and welcomed the ICC Champions trophy to Wales and the Seniors Opens is yet another opportunity for Wales to demonstrate our capabilities in hosting world class sporting events, a real “summer of sporting legends”. 

The summer months, which are often the best performing for the tourism industry, are filling businesses with confidence. The vast majority off all sectors are showing a positive level of confidence as they head into peak season. Confidence within the tourism industry remains positive, with 87% of respondents having some level of confidence going into the summer season. This includes 39% who are ‘very confident’.

Although the outlook is positive, the economy remains a double-edged sword. Some businesses say that more British people are staying in the UK, as Brits look to reduce the cost of their breaks and holidays. But with less money going around, other business note that people’s lack of funds is resulting in reduced visitor numbers.

33% of businesses say that profitability is up so far this year, compared with 2016. 18% of businesses who have welcomed more visitors say that one of the reasons for the lift is that more British people are staying in the UK.  This is particularly true of the self catering (30%) and caravan and camping (23%) sectors.

In addition, the recently published Great Britain Day Visits Survey also reported that In the 12 months ending May 2017, there were 98.4 million tourism day visits to Wales, with an associated spend of £4,166 million. The number of visits has increased 8.5% compared to the 12 months ending May 2016, while the amount spent has increased 21.1%.

Jul62017

Press release: Foreign investors see opportunities in Scotland

HM Government

This led to over 5,500 new jobs being created providing security and stability to thousands of families.

In another record year, the UK attracted 2,265 foreign direct investment projects which led to the creation of nearly 15,000 new jobs across the country.

UK Government Minister Dr Ian Duncan said:

Today’s figures show that Scotland and the whole of the UK is continuing to be an attractive destination for foreign investors who are recognising that our skills and world class industries are second to none.

We want this trend to continue and see even more investment, and I would encourage businesses to work with the UK Government’s Department for International Trade who support businesses to reach markets around the world through their global network of embassy-based trade experts.

International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, said:

These results are great news for Scotland. As world leaders across a range of sectors including life sciences, oil and gas and financial services, it’s great to see foreign investors recognising the country’s excellence.

As an international economic department, the Department for International Trade will continue to promote the UK as a whole to potential investors and support Scottish Development International to attract inward investment.

The figures published today show that the US retains the top spot accounting for 577 projects of all inward investment projects to the UK. China (including Hong Kong) remains in second place with 160 projects and last year’s third place India is joined by Australia and New Zealand in joint third place with 127 projects each.

Demonstrating the diversity of the UK’s economy, sectors that performed particularly well include technology, renewable energy, life sciences and the creative industries which all saw an increase in the number of projects.

As part of the government’s drive to attract inward investment, in January this year the department launched a major global marketing campaign – Invest in GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland – to promote the UK’s offering to international investors.

To date, the campaign has generated 1.4 million page views of the invest section of the great.gov.uk digital service and recorded over 540 prospective investor enquiries.