10 Reasons

1. The talent of Wales.

Over 30% of the Welsh population aged 21 to 64 are college graduates. Over 30% of the Welsh population aged 21 to 64 are college graduates. Wales has 226,375 students in full and part-time education in its own eight universities and 13 further education colleges. Investors in Wales can also draw on the pool of half a million graduates per year from all over the UK: young graduates are happy to relocate to Wales for good jobs and to benefit from the quality of life and widespread availability of outdoor activities and sports here. Today, 27% of the population of Wales consists of people from outside the country. (Based on 2011 Census)

2. Wales has great links.

• Wales is at the centre of the UK. Cardiff is just two hours from London by high-speed train.
• Wales is linked by road, rail and air to the major UK and European cities, airports, ports and markets.
• Wales is linked to the world via high-speed fibre broadband, provided to businesses and homes in Wales by a joint investment by BT and the Welsh Government.

3. Wales has all the benefits of UK investment.

The UK is the number one destination in Europe for US FDI and one of the best major locations for ease of doing business according to the World Bank. There are many good reasons to invest in Wales:

• English-speaking.
• Grants and incentives.
• Generous R&D tax credit scheme.
• Half a million graduates per year.
• Stability of government.

4. Wales has added incentives.

• Non-repayable financing available from the Welsh Government of between 10% and 45% of costs for capital expenditure on inward investment projects.*
• Availability of commercial investments from the Development Bank of Wales – one of the UK’s largest regional investment companies who can make commercial investments in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) based in Wales or willing to relocate.
• The Wales Tourism Investment Fund (WTIF).
• Skills Growth Wales training grants and Go Wales graduate support.

*Subject to terms and conditions.

5. Wales is highly competitive on cost.

Commercial rents and property prices are great value in Wales. There are Enterprise Zones in Wales for a range of industries, including:

• Financial and Professional Services – Cardiff.
• Aerospace – Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan.
• Energy & Environment – Anglesey.
• Energy & Environment and ICT – Snowdonia.
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing – Deeside and Ebbw Vale.
• Energy and Marine Energy – Haven Waterway.
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing – Port Talbot Waterfront.

6. Wales is at the forefront of precision engineering and cutting-edge technology.

Some of the things made in Wales include:

• Airbus A380 wings.
• Toyota Auris Hybrid engine.
• Thales Satellite cover glass and cover slides.
• Raytheon’s Shadow R MKI Aircraft.
• Flexicare Hall Lock System.
• The Raspberry Pi.
• Faun Trackway Heavy Ground Mobility system.
• GE Healthcare’s Whatman 903 Specimen Collection device.

7. Wales is investing in R&D and innovation.

Benefits include:

• Access to world-renowned academic support through our SMARTExpertise programme.
• One of Europe’s most comprehensive support systems for industrial research, experimental development and feasibility studies for transforming innovative ideas into new products or processes via our £115m SMART Cymru research fund.
• On-going investment into Europe’s first eco-system dedicated to compound semiconductor applications, growing and integrating this clever high spec material into innovative new products.
• Join up with like minded innovators in Wales’ premier Life Science Hub to gain access to funds, ideas and collaborators.
• Wales has a free quarterly publication called 'Advances Wales' showcasing the latest news, research and developments in science, technology and engineering in Wales. To view this publication or to subscribe free of charge, please click here.

8. The people of Wales.

Wales has a great workforce. The Welsh are a Celtic people that came to Britain in around 500 BC and gave the island its name. Like most Celts, they are warm, friendly and passionate about everything in life.

9. The Welsh Government helps businesses to grow in Wales.

Once invested in Wales, we find that most global companies re-invest here. Wales has its own Welsh Government and is also represented in the UK Parliament in London. Foreign investors are taken good care of by a dedicated team in the Welsh Government from the start to finish of the investment project.

10. Wales is a great place for work and play.

Rough Guides says that Wales ‘is the most beguiling part of the British Isles’. Trip Advisor named Rhossili Bay in Gower, Wales, as the best beach in Britain and the ninth best beach in the world. An 870-mile hiking path runs around the coast of Wales which the Lonely Planet guide named ‘the best region on earth to visit’. Wales has 180 golf courses, including the Celtic Manor, home to the Ryder Cup in 2010.

Just about any water sport can be enjoyed here. The sport of coasteering was conceived along the Pembrokeshire coast. Wales has a Welsh National Opera company, a Welsh National Dance company and a Welsh National Theatre, as well as a large number of cultural events and festivals taking place throughout the year.