Our Sectoral Strengths

High Value Manufacturing - over 8,600 people are employed in the production sector in Mid Wales. The region has niche areas of manufacturing expertise such as automation, motion engineering and life sciences.

Agriculture, Food & Drink - of paramount importance to the regional economy, employing over 13,900 people and instrumental in the region's culture and communities. The sector faces potential challenges and uncertainty in responding to Brexit. Opportunities exist to diversify and add value to the agricultural and food sectors; the processing of agricultural produce; and exploiting R&D & food industry strengths and taking account of soil, terrain and weather - such as livestock, in particular Welsh lamb.

Defence and Security - Mid Wales is an important location for UK defence operations, capitalising on the region's geography and secure sites. Home to pioneering activity, with segregated airspace for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) off the coast of West Wales and an inland exclusion zone of nearly 500 square miles towards the Epynt.  It also has research strengths that provide opportunities to secure Mid Wales' place as a centre of the defence and security industry (e.g. Aberporth, Brecon, Derin Lines & Sennybridge).

Tourism - the tourism sector employs over 23,200 people in Mid Wales and has grown significantly over the past ten years.  Major opportunity lies in the regions' natural, cultural and heritage assets to add value to the region's tourism sector and subsequently increase the contribution to the Welsh economy, addressing Spread, Seasonality and Spend. This includes the strong cultural connections developed as part of Ireland-Wales projects, and our natural assets: Brecon Beacons National Park, our Coastal Path and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).