A team of Freeport experts will provide an update on the current status of our Freeport, as well as the milestones to be met over the coming months as the project enters its next phase. There will be an opportunity for Q&A and networking.
For over three years I campaigned for a freeport on Anglesey and I am delighted that in March this year the Prime Minister and First Minister of Wales visited the Port of Holyhead to announce that our Island bid was successful.
Anglesey Freeport marks the start of our economic renaissance; our Freeport covers the whole island which means that both businesses already based here and new organisations setting up here will enjoy the benefits of freeport status.
Local people deserve a good income and a future on Anglesey and that means we need high-quality skilled jobs. Secure well-paid long-term local employment will stem the loss of our young people who currently leave in search of careers elsewhere, taking with them our Welsh language and breaking up our communities.
Freeport status means that we can eliminate import and export duties, remove some employment and business taxes, streamline paperwork and more. Existing businesses also stand to benefit from new supply chain opportunities and increased customer wealth. These changes will make it cheaper to manufacture and run a commercial operation on Anglesey making our island a more attractive place to do business.
I am determined to make a success of our freeport which is why you will see me bringing companies around the island like GE-Hitachi, KEPCO, Westinghouse, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Moltex and Bechtel. Many of these organisations have average salaries almost twice those on Ynys Môn and are keen to invest and bring new good-quality jobs here. Our first Freeport success is Westinghouse who have set up a de-commissioning operation at M-SParc creating 15 new jobs with more to come.
To find out more about what our island’s freeport status means to you, your family and your business please register to attend my free Freeport event.