Keith Palmer, CEO of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Conservative Party has been granted the opportunity to form the next Government and now it must fully demonstrate how it will support business in every corner of the UK, not least here in Wales, to ensure a prosperous economy for everyone.
“Support for investment and exports will be crucial in helping promote business growth, but equally so will investment in infrastructure and renewable energy projects. There is a real opportunity with the tidal lagoon projects in south Wales, the M4 relief road and rail electrification, and the UK government must work closely with Welsh Government to ensure that these come to fruition so that businesses here in Wales can reap the rewards.
“The need for upskilling the current workforce and investing in skills for the future, so that young people are ready to enter the business world when they finish school, college or university, has never been more apparent. It is something we have long campaigned for in our Campaign for Welsh Business and something that must be at the heart of the incoming government’s policies so that employers have a work-ready pool of people from which they can recruit.
“Britain’s economic recovery has been tough, yet we are now seeing prosperity break through, with employment on the rise, GDP growing and inflation slowing down. The crucial thing for the incoming government is to ensure that this path continues. The long-term national interest must be put first.”