10 June 2005

eCOMMERCE INITIATIVE EXPANDS TO OBJECTIVE 2 AREAS

eCommerce initiative, Opportunity Wales has expanded its operations to cover small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Objective 2 areas of Wales.  The announcement follows the success of Opportunity Wales, which since it was launched in 2001, has helped to create over 2,900 new jobs and a £234.2 million growth in turnover in Objective 1 areas of Wales.

The new scheme will run until March 2007 and has a budget of £3.65 million, which includes £1.12 million of EU funding, £2 million from the Welsh Assembly Government and £0.53 million from other Opportunity Wales partners.  The initiative is targeted to provide eCommerce support to 1,752 businesses, with the intention being to create 172 new jobs and 86 indirect jobs and to safeguard a further 1025 jobs.  This will be in conjunction with generating an increase in turnover amongst the supported businesses of some £26.1 million.  Further, Opportunity Wales will aim to specifically support a minimum of 100 enterprises that are owned by women, ethnic minorities or people with disabilities.

In the Objective 2 areas, the Opportunity Wales is provided by five local delivery partners, whose impartial eCommerce advisers will help their clients to make eCommerce work effectively in order to improve the profitability and efficiency of their businesses.

Andrew Davies AM, Minister for Economic Development & Transport, said: “The success of Opportunity Wales in supporting SMEs is clearly demonstrated by the creation of more than 2,900 jobs, and I am delighted that Opportunity Wales will now be extending this invaluable support to SMEs in the Objective 2 areas of Wales.”

Christine Holvey, chief executive of Opportunity Wales, said: “Moving into Objective 2 areas of Wales is a great challenge for us and we are delighted to be doing it.  With the first phase of Opportunity Wales we have shown that small changes can make a big difference to small and medium sized businesses.  The targets we have set are ambitious but I am confident that with the experience we have gained over the last four years, and with the dedication of our team of advisers, they will be achieved.”

Objective 2 small and medium sized businesses looking for support from Opportunity Wales should contact its dedicated contact centre on 0845 8500 888 or visit its bilingual Web site at www.opportunitywales.co.uk.