Wales is now a world-class location for inward investment a joint RICS and Welsh Government initiative in London has said.

Record infrastructure investment, a stable and secure commercial environment, and government policies that support development help make Wales an ideal place for businesses to locate, a gathering of senior property professionals will hear.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ headquarters in Parliament Square, Westminster was the setting for the event, which was part of Wales Week in London 2017.

The reception was intended to help communicate the benefits of investing in Wales, including a highly-skilled workforce, excellent connectivity with London and the rest of the UK, and the cost advantages of locating here.

Excellent connectivity between North Wales and the major cities of the North West of England, existing Enterprise Zones in the country, and progress towards City and Region Deals were also be highlighted.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “When it comes to doing business, Wales is different. Wales is at the cutting edge of the technological revolution; the home of pioneering medical innovation, a world leader in marine energy and a centre of excellence for the skills and manufacturing.

“Wales also has an agile, devolved government willing to work with investors to make things happen quickly. We are an open, responsive and business-friendly government with access to a highly skilled labour market. That is why unemployment in Wales is at a ten year low and our inward investment performance remains at record-breaking levels.”

RICS UK managing director, Matt Howell, said: “There has never been a greater reason to invest in Wales, with major infrastructure projects such as the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon to drive growth, and transport investment such as an M4 Relief Road, the Newtown Bypass, and the Eastern Bay Link in Cardiff. Wales also continues to be a strong, stable and secure environment for enterprise, with almost £700m invested in Wales by overseas headquartered companies last year alone. Policies and funding are also in place, supported by the Welsh Government, to enable the development of office, retail, and industrial property to attract commercial occupiers.”

“RICS is very pleased to work with the Welsh Government to help use our network of senior members and contacts in the property sector to help communicate the benefits of investing Wales, and to help drive investment into the Welsh economy,” he adds.

Chaired by RICS UK & Ireland Chair, Fiona Grant, the panel discussion at the event will feature Chris Sutton, the lead director with JLL in Cardiff, Andrew Gwatkin, director trade and inward investment for the Welsh Government, Ken Poole, head of economic development at City of Cardiff Council, Andrew Whelan, managing director for Real Estate Finance at Santander UK, and Caroline O’Flaherty, a partner with Hugh James.