Written question WQ84363

Business Wales provides businesses and entrepreneurs with a single point of contact for business information, advice and support from the public, private and voluntary sectors, and can be accessed digitally via the website and social media channels; the 03000 603000 helpline; and a network of offices located across Wales.

As well as a range of general business advice, information and signposting, Business Wales provide specialist strands of advice such as equality & diversity; resource efficiency; international trade; skills; procurement and mentoring.

In addition to this service, the Development Bank of Wales (DBW) helps Welsh businesses get the finance they need to start up, strengthen and grow and provides loans from £1000 up to £10m as well as mezzanine, and equity funding; and helps businesses find the right finance partner to leverage in private finance with its own gap finance when necessary. The DBW has the objective of providing greater levels of funding to SMEs and improving the integration of the provision of advice and support to businesses, by working closely with Business Wales.

We have also published a long-term strategy, ‘Welcome to Wales: Priorities for the visitor economy 2020-25’, that sets out our wider vision and ambitions for the tourism and hospitality sector.