NEWPORT is to host an international investment conference aiming to create jobs and growth for the UK, Business Secretary Vince Cable and Welsh Government Minister Edwina Hart have announced today.

The conference, called ‘Embracing new technology for competitive advantage’,  follows this September's NATO Summit and will be held on 20 – 21 November at Celtic Manor Resort.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Wales is already home to many successful companies. Some started here whilst others have come here to invest and grow. This conference provides a good opportunity to show Wales’ strengths as an excellent place to do business and one that is open to foreign investment.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart added: “While the Nato Summit provides an opportunity to promote Wales to the world, this investment conference will enable us to specifically showcase what Wales can offer the world of business and industry.

The UK Investment Summit will focus on a range of emerging technologies that will allow us to highlight Welsh expertise in this field across a range of key industries.

Statistics from the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) showed that Wales attracted 79 foreign investment projects in 2013-14, the highest level in 24 years, creating or safeguarding over 10,000 jobs.

The report also showed that across the UK 66,390 new jobs were created, the highest since 2001. In total 1,773 investment projects were set up by foreign businesses in the UK during 2013/14.

The announcement was made on a visit to Sony at Pencoed, where the innovative Raspberry Pi computers are manufactured. More than 3.5 million Raspberry Pis have been sold worldwide and one will be given to each of the foreign leaders attending the NATO summit.