CARDIFF Capital Region leaders are hosting a day-long event to discuss with business how it can support the development of the city-region.

The ‘Making City Regions Work for Business’ event is taking place at the Cardiff City Stadium today, Tuesday, June 21.

It has been organised by the Cardiff Capital Region Transition Board, the Cardiff Capital region’s 10 local authorities, and Cardiff University’s City Region Exchange.

Representing Newport will be Newport City Council leader Debbie Wilcox and the council's chief executive Will Godfrey.

The event aims to:

• Raise the profile and understanding with business of the Cardiff Capital Region and the recently-signed £1.28bn City Deal programme

• Develop greater appreciation of best practice in City Region Governance

• Seek the views of the business community on the development of the city-region

It will feature a series of speeches, presentations, and networking opportunities, and will be chaired by Graham Edwards, chief executive of Wales and West Utilities.

The speakers will include Cllr Andrew Morgan, leader Rhondda Cynon Taff and chairman of the City Deal Joint Cabinet of the 10 local authorities, and Ann Beynon, chairman of the Cardiff Capital Region Transition Board.

There will also be presentations about other UK city-regions to understand best practise and experiences from other city-region programmes.

The event follows the recent signing of the £1.2bn City Deal to unlock significant economic growth across the Cardiff Capital Region, which includes the Newport area.

Over its lifetime, local partners expect the City Deal to deliver as many as 25,000 new jobs, and £4bn of private sector investment across the region.

The City Deal will help boost economic growth by improving transport links, increasing skills, helping people into work and giving businesses the support they need to grow.

Cllr Morgan said business was critical to a successful Cardiff Capital Region, and this event was the start of that engagement process following the signing of the City Deal document by the 10 local authorities. Welsh Government and the UK Government.

“The local authorities recognise the critical role business has to play in the continued development of the city-region.

“This event is an excellent opportunity for us to talk to business about our plans, and also to listen to them about their ideas, and to discuss how we can all work together for the benefit of the city-region.”

Ann Beynon said: “The business community in south east Wales has in the past expressed its confusion about what exactly the City Region approach and the City Deal have to offer.

“Having heard those views we have ensured that the City Region and City Deal agendas are better aligned and that we move towards a sensible shared governance.

“Business can cross examine us to their hearts’ content and I welcome that. But business will also have to step up to the mark and agree its contribution towards improving economic outcomes for the people of south east Wales - our Capital Region.”