With Askar Sheibani

CEO Comtek Network Systems and chair the DBF

In its 2011 budget the UK government announced plans to create 24 Enterprise Growth Zones in England.

Enterprise Zones offer tax incentives for capital investments and, for a short-period, a reduction on business rates.

The Welsh government was initially very reluctant and sceptical about the idea of these zones. However, through a rigorous campaign by the business community in Deeside, led by Deeside Business Forum, the Welsh Government was persuaded to designate Deeside and six other locations in Wales as Enterprise Zones.

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Deeside Enterprise Zone was uniquely placed to be a major success and now it has been recognised as one of the most successful Zones in the UK.

Deeside has a historic track record for economic growth specialising in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, food and various other world-leading technologies. It has a history of bouncing back to economic success from recessions.

The Deeside Industrial Park was the brainchild of Lord Barry Jones when he represented the area as an MP.

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The designation of Deeside as an enterprise zone was one of the greatest economic achievements of the Welsh government. The old redundant RAF airfield now has been transformed into a home for some of the great companies, creating thousands of well-paid jobs for our local communities.

High-standard houses have been built within walking distance of the industrial zone for the employees to walk or cycle to their employment, hence removing the need to drive to work.

Flintshire County Council has created one of the country's most impressive cycle networks encouraging the workforce to opt for a healthy way of commuting to their workplace.

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The designation of Deeside as an Enterprise Zone provided the region with a marketing tool to promote the area as a great place for investment.

Already billions of private sector investments have been poured into Deeside Enterprise Zone. It is now home to the UK's largest solar panel farm, one of the most technologically advanced waste-to-energy plants. Industrial buildings sprung up within the former RAF airfield, even during the pandemic, creating much-needed employment for our residents.

The UK government once again announced 38 more Enterprise Zones, under the name of Investment Zones in England. Cheshire-West and Chester are one of the designated regions.

Unfortunately, just as before, it seems that the Welsh Government is showing no enthusiasm about the creation of Investment Zones in Wales.

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History is now repeating itself. There is a serious danger for Flintshire and Wrexham if Cheshire-West and Chester move forward with their development creating a large Investment Zone on our doorstep.

The business community would see it as unforgivable negligence on the part of the Welsh Government if Flintshire and Wrexham were left out of this great opportunity of being selected as an Investment Zone.

We have already demonstrated that we can deliver great economic achievements through these types of Zones.

We will have the chance to showcase to the country how to build an Investment Zone which tackles Net Zero and climate emergency by attracting investment in the renewable energy industry.

This a great opportunity for Wrexham and Flintshire, let's not miss out.