Reception to showcase Wales ahead of NATO Summit
First Minister Carwyn Jones and Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb to host event to promote Welsh business, education and tourism.
More than 200 guests including representatives from Welsh businesses, the creative industries as well as foreign media are due to attend the reception this evening (28 August) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
Both ministers will make speeches at the event and guests will have the chance to view new images from the ‘Wales is GREAT’ campaign and find out how both governments are promoting Wales overseas using the UK’s extensive network of UK embassies, consulates and high commissions.
Some of Wales’s finest produce will also be showcased at the event including wine from the White Castle Vineyard in Monmouthshire and Welsh Farmhouse Apple juice from Crickhowell. Catering will be provided by the Welsh Culinary Association.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
This event is a chance to show why Wales is a great place to visit, to invest, to trade and to study. We’re using every opportunity to promote Wales and to tell our story overseas. The NATO Summit has provided us with a great opportunity to do that.
We have just recorded our best ever foreign inward investment results since records began 30 years ago, creating and safeguarding over 10,000 jobs, while latest exports figures show that Wales has the highest increase in exports of any of the four UK countries.
In tourism as well, the latest results of the Great British Tourism Survey showed that Wales is doing well in terms of visitor numbers. During the first three months of this year, trips to Wales were up 3.2% on the same time last year, in contrast to other parts of the UK.
Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said:
There is tremendous potential in Wales for investment in business, tourism and education. We have an excellent reputation internationally in manufacturing, innovation, life sciences, cyber technologies and aerospace and are pushing into new markets every year.
The NATO Summit is bringing unprecedented levels of international attention to Wales. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to show the world the very best we have to offer. Today’s event is one example of how we are working to ensure that Wales reaps the maximum rewards from the Summit.
Other events such as our investment conference planned for November are part of building a lasting legacy from the Summit, and doing everything we can to make sure Wales is well equipped to compete in the global race.
The reception also comes in advance of a one day “Wales Day” digital media campaign by UK embassies, consulates and high commissions on 1 September to promote Wales as a destination for tourism and business ahead of the NATO Summit on 4 and 5 September.
Find out more about NATO Summit Wales 2014 or follow the official Summit Twitter account @NATOWales