Written - Flexible Support for Business

The Assembly Government is committed to helping entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes, wherever they operate, grow and prosper, delivering more and better jobs for the people of Wales. One of the ways in which we can do this is to work directly with businesses and provide bespoke support to meet their needs.

To that end, from tomorrow my Department will be operating a new Flexible Support for Business model, underpinned by the Single Investment Fund promised in ‘One Wales’.

The Flexible Support for Business model has been developed in response to, and in consultation with business. It will reduce confusion in the marketplace and enable us to deliver services to businesses more efficiently. The model supports the public service transformation agenda as set out in the Beecham and Varney reviews. Its key features are:

• Access Fast, simple and straightforward access to information, advice and support for all existing businesses, and prospective businesses, via a gateway that includes a single website, a national phone number, and face to face contact through a network of local centres.
• Relationship Management
  Dedicated relationship managers to support the development of strategically important businesses by building a package of relevant tailored support that will unlock the growth potential of those businesses.
• Funding and Specialist Support
  The Single Investment Fund will be the new unified source for a package of financial and specialist support from the Assembly Government to meet businesses’ individual needs.

The new approach will be rolled out during 2008-09 to encompass business support activity across and beyond the Assembly Government. Flexible Support for Business will also include new and improved start up support (from June) and services for growth businesses (from October).
From tomorrow, changes to the national customer entry point will go live with the introduction of a new number 03000 6 03000 for existing companies and those people wishing to start up in business. The new website,

use : business support wales

will become the government portal for businesses in, or looking to invest in, Wales, and will begin to replace existing Welsh Assembly Government websites that currently provide information related to supporting business, including the Business Eye site.

Flexible Support for Business demonstrates our commitment to understanding and responding to business needs. It is a radical service delivery achievement, and underlines our determination for Wales to lead the way in creating an environment where both indigenous businesses and inward investors can thrive.