WELSH INDEPENDENTS ATTRACT EURO FUNDING

TAC, the trade association for Welsh independents, have successfully attracted financial support from a number of public agencies to commission an action plan which maps out the future for the development of multi-sector media clusters in Wales.
The Association are also currently working with the Welsh Development Agency and other partners on a £1 million plus bid for European funding to implement the first stage of the strategy.
Taking advantage of the Objective One status accorded to much of Wales, the project includes the appointment of a sector champion, who will not only be responsible for advising companies seeking to take advantage of technological developments, but also for co-ordinating and facilitating marketing and trading activities and collaborative projects. If successful the bid will facilitate a number of initiatives relating to training, funding for business development and developing the linkages upon which successful competitive clusters depend.
Dafydd Hughes, Chief Executive of TAC, said: “There is no doubt that, with appropriate guidance and support, and access to the best research and development resources, the independent sector, regardless of location, is well positioned to meet the challenge of the new economic order and the transition from serving traditional markets to the provision of content for a range of media. Recognition of the value of the creative industries to national economic development is reflected in the support which the National Assembly and its agencies are providing to this private sector initiative.”
(GB)