According to data released by the Welsh Assembly Government, the value of exports for Wales for the last twelve months fell by £1,602 million compared to the previous four quarters. There were decreases in exports to EU countries and in exports to non-EU countries, down £480 million (9.0 per cent) and £1,122 million (22.8 per cent) respectively.
Wales had the largest percentage decreases in the value of exports over these twelve months (down 15.6 per cent) followed by Northern Ireland and the East Midlands (down 14.5 and 9.1 per cent respectively). The largest increases were in London, the West Midlands and the East of England (up 8.2 per cent, 8.1 per cent and 6.5 per cent respectively).
Given such depressing data. especially in comparison to the rest of the UK, there needs to be a concerted effort to ensure greater support for exporters in Wales. If it is possible for the USA, the free market centre of the World, to have a strong trade and export organisation to support greater internationalisation, then Wales must have the same.
The abolition of International Business Wales (IBW) clearly shows the lack of understanding by politicians and civil servants regarding the importance of exporting to a small nation and, more importantly, the support that government can offer.
IBW was not only about bringing in large inward investors but about supporting the export drive of those businesses already within the Welsh economy.
That impetus has now gone and, as the latest figures show, at a time when there needs to be a greater focus on the exporting front for the Welsh economy.
