News Wales reported that first minister Mr Carwyn Jones has met Mr Uday Chaturvedi, former head of TATA Steel Europe's Strip UK business, to thank him for his outstanding leadership during his time in Wales.

Mr Chaturvedi, who is stepping down from his role as TATA Steel Europe's Chief Technology Officer, headed the Strip UK business between 2008 and 2010.

Mr Carwyn Jones said that "Mr Uday has been an inspirational figure in Welsh manufacturing and I wish him well for the future. In both his role as MD of Strip UK and subsequently as TATA Steel Europe CTO we have appreciated his personal commitment to support Wales as a place to do business. We greatly value that someone of his standing and esteem appreciates the quality of the Welsh workforce and what Wales has to offer major international businesses."

He added that "Our positive and constructive relationship with TATA will continue to be developed to support the long-term future of the Welsh steel industry. The manufacturing sector is an important contributor to the economy of Wales and faces difficult challenges due to the current global economic situation and the difficult circumstances in Europe. Rising energy costs also place considerable burdens on the Welsh economy. I have written to the UK Government to highlight this issue because I want to ensure that our energy intensive industries remain able to compete in the global marketplace."

Mr Carwyn Jones said that "We also have continued concerns about the impact of the UK Government’s approach to relations with Europe. Companies like TATA continue to significantly invest in Wales on the basis that the UK is a key part of the European community. I want Wales to continue to be an integral part of the EU, our single biggest export market."

(Sourced from News Wales)