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2013 is going to be an even more spectacular year for technology innovation and in digital marketing. Brand new opportunities will emerge, and we will be there both as YODspica Ltd and Wales Connects International Ltd. Also not forgetting the Venture World Summit scheduled for the 30th and 31st of May.

It now official that Hitachi has finalized its purchase of the Horizon Nuclear Project which means that the company will now build nuclear power stations on Anglesey and in Gloucestershire.  As a result, the company has development plans that include two to three 1,300 megawatt nuclear power plants at both Wylfa and Oldbury, where it is expected that the first reactor will be operational around 2025.

In this context, Hitachi is investing in local skills thus providing a further £90,000 for apprentice training named the Cwmni Menai Prentis scheme which is to be provided by Coleg Menai college which is based on Anglesey.

Horizon chief operating officer Alan Raymant stated: ”We’re delighted that the deal has completed…It secures the future of Horizon and represents a real economic opportunity for north Wales… Our project will be a multi-billion pound investment, creating around 6,000 construction jobs at peak, and 1,000 operational jobs when completed.”

This project purchase by Hitachi resulted after RWE and E.ON had the project for sale as they were the previous owners.

It was announced today, following a  report it was concluded that the Welsh government could have the power to vary income tax by 2020, furthermore it was also recommended that a a referendum should be held including powers for other smaller taxes to be taken into consideration.

The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, has welcomed the publication of a report by the UK Government’s Silk Commission, which proposes comprehensive changes to Wales’ financial powers, below is his statement:

“I am grateful to the Commission for producing what is a very comprehensive and well-argued report.  This report includes some very important recommendations that representatives from all four political parties have been able to agree on and which fit well with our views on the future path of financial reform

“I am particularly pleased to see that the Commission has endorsed devolution of borrowing powers to help finance investment – this is essential if we are to be given the tools to boost the economy in Wales. I also welcome the proposal for Wales to gain control over certain taxes such as stamp duty, which could give us a new lever to support economic growth.

“I have long argued that there would need to be a referendum before powers to vary income tax rates were devolved and I am glad to see that the Commission has endorsed this view. We will look carefully at the proposal to move towards devolution of some powers over income tax – provided the people of Wales have the final say.

“Today’s report – coupled with the statement on funding reform that was published jointly with the UK Government last month – provides a solid basis for delivering lasting reforms. We will now give the report careful consideration and will look to work with the UK Government to make quick progress on this agenda.”

It was published and concluded by a new report, a substantial increase on the number of young people between 18 to 29 year olds, starting and venturing into business ownership and creation in Wales. This upward trend has continued comparatively from last 10 years,  furthermore it is noted that the pattern of venture entrepreneurship has trebled thus showing an energetic business culture. This new released data statistics falls in the context where of the Global Entrepreneurship Week.

In this context and report published data, it is also important to note that the Welsh government helps young people with around £4m annually in terms of support and development.

An excellent supportive community which has been running for 50 years, is the Young Enterprise Charity where its aim is to educate and encourage the business leaders of the future.

Nevertheless, there is still a considerable gap between the manufacturing and service sectors outputs, where manufacturing has produced the highest expansion output, while on the other hand the service sectors have shown a decline. With regards to new business both sectors have had an increase whereas the service sectors showed an increase since February 2011.

Further to the study is was also reported that the overall volume of work outstanding has continued to decline, despite a ratio increase in new business.

Allan Griffiths, area director for Lloyds TSB Commercial in South and West Wales stated: ”Wales recorded the best private sector performance across the UK in October, with activity and new business growth both rising at the fastest pace for over a year-and-a-half,” he said. “Much of the strength remains concentrated in manufacturing, although there were signs of a stabilisation in the service sector. There was a slight fall in employment, although anecdotal evidence shows that this was due to firms not replacing leavers, as opposed to actual redundancies.”

Sir Howard Davies stated: “ Cardiff International Airport can be regarded as Heathrow’s “sixth terminal, when fast rail links are completed”.

If this plan does receive a recommendation with regards to Cardiff International Airport, as direct consequence it would represent many new jobs for Welsh economy, which would also include better connections for freight transport.

The UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin stated: “Aviation is vital to the UK economy and we need to have a long-term aviation policy which meets the challenges of the future”.

A Heathrow spokesman also stated: “ A clear positive decision would stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and help secure Britain’s competitiveness in a changing world.”

In this context Mr Jones states “More than 450 firms from other Member States are located in Wales providing over 50,000 jobs. All too often those who dislike the whole concept of the EU dominate the debate on its future. We in Wales must never forget that the European Single Market has made a massive impact on the long-term prosperity in Europe. It allows us to have the capacity to travel freely, to settle and work where we wish. Young people now have the opportunity to study abroad. European consumers now have more choice at lower prices. Vitally, it has opened up access to 500 million consumers and generated foreign investment.”

Between 2007 and 2013, Wales has received more than £1.9bn from the EU. As a result, it produced  investment more than £3.2bn for businesses, people, innovation, communities, transport, and the environment.

The Welsh Government will soon announce the construction details and the Business Minister Edwina Hart stated: “Wales has a strong and diverse creative industries sector which has been identified as one of our strategically important economic sectors with high growth potential… I am pleased the Welsh Government is supporting this latest development which has the potential to act as a catalyst to create a strong sector cluster in Porth Teigr.”

Mark Hallett from Igloo stated: “Our vision for Porth Teigr is to develop a ‘hub’ for the creative industries. The new centre will be a crucial part of this by providing opportunities for businesses and individuals within this growing sector.”

Also Mark Sutton associate at Knight Frank stated “The new centre for creative industries will be the first building at Porth Teigr to deliver office space to the market. The six-storey building will be located directly opposite the BBC studios, overlooking the waterfront and will be flexible to accommodate a number of SMEs or a single occupier with the capacity to accommodate up to 300 staff.”

Furthermore, it was stated his wish for a devolution of Air Passenger Duty to help the Wales Government with Cardiff and Anglesey airports plans.  In this context, Martin Evans from the University of Glamorgan Business School, added to the argument by stating “a rebrand would attempt to “get the attention” of the public in Wales”.

With the economic growth in mind, it was also stated a new improved presence into working more effectively with UK’s export arm Trade and Investment (UKTI). This press conference happened in a context where Lord Heseltine was in Cardiff addressing and assessing on the current status between the public and private sectors benefits. Also at in Cardiff was the UK government Trade Minister Lord Green.

The First Minister Carwyn Jones stated: “This is a hugely exciting project for Swansea and for Wales. I am delighted that the European Investment Bank has announced this £60minvestment to take the scheme to the next stage. The University’s plans are highly ambitions and they predict it has the potential to create thousands of jobs. That’s why I am also pleased to announce that the Welsh Government will be providing over £30m of support which includes EU funding. This expansion will be a huge boost to R&D and economic regeneration in the area and I wish it all the best for the future.”

Swansea University Vice Chancellor Professor Richard B. Davies stated: “The new Science and Innovation Campus is a transformational project for Wales and for the University. It promises to become a global exemplar for how a research intensive university can work effectively with industry, helping to drive economic regeneration and creating exciting employment opportunities for its graduates. The new facilities, world-leading research and well-qualified graduates will attract multi-national companies and support the development of high-tech clusters in the region“.