Swiss business joins forces with Welsh Government to promote Wales as a prime business destination

A Swiss-based company which recently opened its first office in Wales, has met with Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, to look at ways that Wales and Switzerland can continue to work together following the outcome of Brexit.

Electrification system experts Furrer+Frey, who have been working on the electrification of the Severn Tunnel, were invited to meet The Minister in Geneva while he was in the city to meet the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and The World Economic Forum (WEF).

Whilst there, Furrer+Frey presented The Minister with a commemorative section of electrification from the Severn Tunnel to celebrate the project’s completion.

Director Noel Dolphin said: “Our experiences of working in Wales have been extremely positive and we’re more than happy to work with the Welsh Government to help promote Wales as a destination for business.

“We’re dedicated to working within Wales and have joined forces with Coleg y Cymoedd to help develop electrification skills in Wales. This will be especially important when it comes to the future electrification of the Welsh Valley lines.”

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said: “It was a pleasure to meet representatives of Furrer+Frey on my recent visit to Geneva and I was very interested to hear about the company’s experience of working in Wales and their collaboration with Coleg Y Cymoedd.

“As the UK prepares to leave the EU, further developing Wales’ trade links with countries such as Switzerland is more important than ever and I look forward to a continuing close and prosperous relationship between our two countries in the years to come.”

Furrer+Frey, which is currently working on electrification of the Severn Tunnel, Newport Tunnel and the mainline system (concept) design to Cardiff, was established in 1923 and is still run by the fourth generation of the family.

Photo caption:

Furrer+Frey present Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates with a commemorative section of electrification from the Severn Tunnel – L-R: Caroline Bacher, Furrer+Frey Head of UK Projects, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates and Furrer+Frey UK Director Noel Dolphin