22nd November 2023

Newport City Council has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement of a south-east Wales investment zone which will be based around the compound semiconductor cluster. 

Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council, said: “This is great news for the semiconductor sector in Newport, the city and its residents, and the wider region. 

“We are home to the world’s first semiconductor cluster which, with the right support and recognition, has the potential to deliver significant benefits for the local and national economies, 

“An investment zone should provide the support required to help the semiconductor industry become a scientific superpower. And Newport will be at the heart of that vision. 

“The enterprise, capability and infrastructure to achieve this is already largely in place and the local industry is robust and well-connected. Strong partnerships are in place which will also be key to successful delivery. 

“An investment zone will deliver a raft of benefits for local people: more and better highly-skilled jobs, inward investment and economic growth – all of which would translate into prosperity for our communities. There are also broader benefits for the wider UK in terms of national security. 

“Delivery of an investment zone will complement the work already underway to establish a National Institute of Technology for Wales, with a focus on our existing strengths – compound semiconductors and data science – alongside our respected existing academic institutions, Cardiff University and the University of South Wales. 

“We look forward to working closely with our partners, the industry, academia, the Welsh Government and the UK government on this exciting development.”

More here Investment Zone heading for Cardiff Capital Region - Cardiff Capital Region