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First Minister visits India Indian takeaway?: Will the sub continent

Indian takeaway?: Will the sub continent
continue to invest in Wales?
FIRST MINISTER, Carwyn Jones, this week issued a statement relating to a recent visit to India, the overriding purpose of which was to enhance Wales’ already excellent relationship with India and to enhance business opportunities within the principality. He was supported on the visit by the Honorary Consul of India, as well as by Welsh Government representatives, and the British Embassy. In Delhi he met with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to discuss trade and investment.
Mr Jones also established contact with India’s recently elected Government by meeting Minister of Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley as well as meeting with the Vice Chairman of Tata steel, in Mumbai, who emphasised Tata’s commitment to Wales, though he had said that high UK energy costs were causing difficulty for competitive pricing, and on this, the First Minister assured him that the Welsh Government would continue to press the UK Government to resolve the matter. T
he Minister also hosted a business reception in Mumbai for existing and potential investors into Wales as well as leading a business dinner in the same city for companies interested in Wales as an investment location, where he highlighted the benefits of investing in Wales and the support available from the Welsh Government. He said: “I believe there are significant opportunities for Wales in India, and for India in Wales.”
The Herald asked the Welsh Assembly what was discussed, specifically, with regards to trade and investment in Wales from India and also asked what were the specifics of Tata’s continued investment in Wales. We also asked what Wockhardt have, specifically, in their plans for Wales and whether or not any of the dinners or receptions had resulted in a specific interest from an investor? A Welsh Assembly spokesperson said that a number of companies were being spoken with, but that due to matters of confidentiality they would not be able to disclose any details.
They did confirm, however, that a lot was spoken about with regards to how Welsh tourism could be best promoted in India. A spokesperson for The Welsh Government confirmed this was the second trip the first Minister had made to India, and that this trip was an opportunity for Wales to show what it could offer as a business and tourist destination.
On the specific question as to how the first Minister intended to press the UK Government on the issue of energy pricing, despite its control being in the hands of privately owned companies, no specifics of such pressure were disclosed but a Welsh Government spokesperson did say:“We are acutely aware of the impact of high UK energy prices on the competitiveness of energy intensive companies based in Wales. The First Minister has raised the issue with the UK Government on a number of occasions, and will continue to push for them to implement measures to reduce the cost burden faced by these companies.”
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Covid-19 vaccination venues and timeline announced for everyone locally over 50

EVERY person in JCVI priority groups 5 to 9 will be offered a COVID-19 vaccination by 18 April, Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed.
While the health board’s vaccination programme has the capacity to offer a vaccine to everyone in groups 5 to 9 by the original target date of 4 April, the delivery plan has had to be adjusted based on confirmed vaccine deliveries.
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire residents in priority groups 5 to 9 can expect to receive their vaccine as follows:
- Group 5, people aged 65 – 69 years – delivered by GP practices between 15 February and 12 March
- Group 6, people aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers – delivered by GP practices between 22 February and 4 April
- Group 7, people aged 60 – 64 years – delivered by mass vaccination centres starting 8 March
- Group 8, people aged 55 – 59 years – delivered by mass vaccination centres starting 22 March
- Group 9, people aged 50 – 54 years – delivered by mass vaccination centres starting 5 April
The health board currently has mass vaccination centres located in Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Haverfordwest, Tenby, Carmarthen and Llanelli.
Group 6 is significantly the largest cohort to be vaccinated to date and we understand that many in this group will be anxious to receive a vaccine. Please do not contact your GP or the health board to ask about your appointment, you will be contacted directly when it is your turn and we thank you for your patience.
People in groups 7, 8 and 9 will receive a letter with an appointment date and time. Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible. The letter will include a phone number to contact the health board should you need to rearrange or cancel your appointment but please make every effort to keep your allocated appointment time.
Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda UHB, said: “While our programme has had to slow due to supplies, we want to reassure everyone in groups 5 to 9 that our amazing teams of vaccinators and GP practices have the capability and flexibility to deliver our vaccine supplies as they arrive into the region.
“Vaccine supplies will start to increase again from mid-March, and we are confident that everyone living in our three counties in the top 9 priority groups will be offered a vaccine by mid-April.
“In Hywel Dda we have an older population compared to some other health boards and so over 50% of our adult population will have been offered a vaccine by milestone 2.
“To be able to say that as we approach the anniversary of the first national lockdown is nothing short of extraordinary.
“And again, I must say thank you to everyone living in our three counties who continue to come forward in substantial numbers for the vaccine. Uptake remains remarkably high and we hope to see this continue through groups 5 to 9 and into group 10.”
People are asked, wherever possible, to use their own private transport to attend an appointment. Lifts can be accepted from someone in their household or support bubble, but not from anyone else due to the risk of transmission of the virus.
The health board has put in place transport support for anyone who may have difficulty attending their vaccination appointment. If you have no other means of travel, please contact the health board on 0300 303 8322 and we will be happy to assist.
Everyone in priority groups 1 to 4 should have received an offer of a vaccination. If you have not been contacted, or have changed your mind, please contact your GP at the earliest opportunity. No one will be left behind.
News
Nolton Haven: Man hospitalised after getting into difficulties in sea

A MAN was taken to hospital after getting into difficulties in the sea off Nolton Haven on Friday.
Emergency services were alerted at 2.40pm on February 26 by a 999 call to the control centre.
The Little Haven RNLI lifeboat, Broad Haven Coastguard, an ambulance crew and a Coastguard rescue helicopter assisted police in the operation.
The male casualty was stabilised on the beach and shortly before 4.30pm, was then transported to Withybush Hospital.
A police spokesman told The Herald: “We were called to a male who had got into difficulties in the water at Nolton Haven shortly before 3pm.
“He was taken to hospital by ambulance.”
News
Cyclist killed on A40 was serving police officer, force confirms

A CYCLIST who died after a crash with a van on the A40 in Carmarthenshire was a serving police officer with Dyfed-Powys Police, the force has confirmed in a statement to Herald.Wales.
The driver of the van involved in the crash, which happened on Thursday (Feb 25) has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, it was confirmed on Friday (Feb 26).
Police are investigating the fatal collision, which caused the road to be closed for 12 hours, and are asking for any witnesses to come forward by calling 101.
37-year-old Lynwen Thomas, who is a former student at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Croes-y-Ceiliog, Carmarthen, was a sergeant and a very well-respected member of Dyfed-Powys Police.
A spokesperson for the police said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues, who have all been offered specialist support. We ask that family members are given the privacy they need at this difficult time.”
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