Paul Davies AM took part in a Welsh Conservative Rural Competitiveness debate in the Assembly Chamber, this week. The debate, tabled by the Welsh Conservatives was to note the urgent need to improve rural economic competitiveness as a means to regenerate rural communities and to ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government makes certain that public services take into account the specific needs of rural Wales.

Paul Davies said, "I was pleased to take part in a debate which looked to decipher ways of improving rural competitiveness. Far too many young people are migrating from rural areas for work; businesses are struggling and the rural transport infrastructure needs improving.

I suggested that the Welsh Assembly Government introduce special entrepreneurial zones in rural areas and introduce tax holidays for rural businesses, to encourage job creation. As such, I will continue to monitor this issue and I will continue to pressurise the Minister to work closer with rural businesses to help improve this situation as soon as possible."