BBC News | WALES | Economic minister begins visit

The Assembly Deputy First Minister, Mike German, has begun a fact-finding visit to north-east Wales.

The visit is his first to the region since his appointment to the new coalition administration in the National Assembly.

During the visit, Mr German, who is also the Welsh Economic Development Minister, is expected to outline his views on economic policy for north Wales.

He will hear about plans to regenerate Brymbo's derelict steel site and will tour a Japanese electronics factory

Mike German AM
Mike German: economic policy for north Wales
At the site of the former Brymbo steelworks, which closed with the loss of 1200 jobs a decade ago, he will be briefed on plans to reclaim the land.

The owners want to develop the site for industry, hoping to create hundreds of jobs, and also want to build 300 houses.

Mr German will stay in the Wrexham area to visit the Sharp factory which produces video recorders and microwaves.

The Japanese company recently announced 60 job losses, which it blamed on the strength of the pound and a switch in demand from video recorders to DVD players.


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