Plaid MEP Jill Evans has praised the University of Glamorgan for setting up a Centre for Enterprise to promote and foster entrepreneurship in Wales. Ms Evans said that Plaid has a vision for an innovative, world-class economy for Wales and that initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, particularly amongst women, were invaluable.

The Plaid MEP said she hoped the Centre would help further develop business links between Wales and other European countries, supporting the work of the One Wales government in helping Welsh businesses to get through the economic downturn.

Ms Evans made the comments at the Brussels launch of the University of Glamorgan's Centre for Enterprise, held at Wales House in Brussels on Wednesday, 17 June.

Speaking at the launch, the recently re-elected Plaid MEP said:

"In these challenging economic times it's more important than ever to promote a culture of entrepreneurship, and in particular to develop the skills and the policy framework that will support Welsh businesses - especially SMEs - through the downturn. I commend the University of Glamorgan for their innovative approach to learning and research, and for recognising the importance of building stronger economic and educational ties between Wales and the rest of Europe.

"Plaid Cymru believes that we can develop an innovative, world-class economy in Wales and projects such as the Centre for Enterprise hugely contribute to such a vision.

"There has been a warm welcome for the One Wales government's new fund for small businesses, and I was pleased that Plaid Cymru in government has been able to implement the JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises) fund in Wales. This £150m fund will support the expansion of more than 800 businesses and create up to 15,000 jobs across Wales. This is good news for the entrepreneurs such as those that will be supported by the University of Glamorgan.

"As a member of the Women's Rights committee in the European Parliament, I am pleased that the Centre for Enterprise has pledged to lead the way on women's entrepreneurship. Currently, women continue to be under represented at senior management level and as proprietors of their own businesses.

“But when women are given the opportunities to progress in business, they are often the most productive and the most successful in their fields. That is something we should always encourage, but it is particularly relevant as we work to ensure the Welsh economy emerges stronger and more robust from the downturn.

"As an MEP representing Wales, I again congratulate the University of Glamorgan on the Centre for Enterprise initiative and I pledge to fully support its development. I hope the seminar today will lead to further discussion and the beginning of a success story for the Centre."

Diwedd/Ends.