Cardiff Capital Region’s £160 million Investment Zone programme is moving into delivery, with plans to attract more than £500 million of private investment and create thousands of high-skilled jobs across South East Wales.
The 10-year programme aims to establish the region as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, building on its internationally recognised compound semiconductor cluster.
Funded by the UK Government and supported by the Welsh Government, the Investment Zone is expected to create up to 4,000 high-skilled jobs over the next decade while unlocking new research, development and advanced manufacturing space.
The programme has been developed in partnership with Cardiff Council and Newport City Council, as well as Cardiff University, with the aim of making South East Wales one of Europe’s most competitive locations for innovation-led businesses.
Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, Leader of Newport City Council said, “Cardiff Capital Region’s Investment Zone represents a landmark opportunity to accelerate growth, innovation and prosperity across South East Wales.
“While focused within Newport and Cardiff’s travel to work area, its benefits will be felt across all ten local authorities through new investment, stronger supply chains, enhanced skills provision and high-value employment opportunities.”
Cllr Chris Weaver, Leader of Cardiff Council added, “Cardiff, Newport, and the wider Cardiff Capital Region are already driving innovation in sectors that will shape the future economy, from semiconductors and advanced manufacturing to cyber security, creative industries, and digital technologies.
“The £160 million Investment Zone programme gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build on those strengths and attract hundreds of millions of private sector investment: supporting businesses to grow and innovate, attracting investment, and compete on a global stage. Crucially, this can help create thousands of jobs, and make our region more prosperous, resilient, and help drive growth for decades to come.”
Investment Zone activity is already under way, with CCR supporting early initiatives designed to strengthen the region’s technology ecosystem.
These include investment in infrastructure, targeted skills interventions and programmes aimed at strengthening local supply chains and improving business competitiveness.
Earlier this year, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Cardiff Capital Region, the UK Government and the Welsh Government.
The Rt Hon Stephen Kinnock MP, Secretary of State for Wales, said, “This UK Government Investment Zone will be an engine room for high-tech industry and innovation – driving new jobs and opportunities into communities across South East Wales.
“It will build on the talent and expertise already on show in the region, supporting the development of a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting industry demand long into the future.”
Adam Price MS, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy said, “The launch of the Cardiff Capital Region Investment Zone marks a defining moment for South East Wales. By bringing together business, academia and government around our world-leading semiconductor cluster, we’re turning opportunity into delivery and creating high-skilled jobs, unlocking major investment, and building a sustainable, innovative future economy for the region.
“The Investment Zone is the result of sustained partnership working and will be key to helping us boost growth, improve productivity, strengthen supply chain resilience, and ensure that public investment helps unlock private sector confidence.”
A £4 million skills programme is now open for delivery partners to come forward, with the funding intended to support workforce development and help local people access high-value careers created through the programme.
Professor Wendy Larner, President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, reflected, “I am exceptionally proud of Cardiff University’s role as a co-signatory and anchor institution in the South-East Wales Investment Zone. South-East Wales is at a strategic inflection point, and we are delivering active, dynamic, high-impact research that will generate tangible, sustainable, and inclusive economic and social renewal across the region.
“We look forward to working with Cardiff Capital Region and our partners to enable a just transition and support our small but mighty nation to flourish.”
