An online event is being held in partnership with Business Wales on Wednesday March 24 from 10am till noon, helping raise awareness of potential forthcoming opportunities for businesses of all sizes in the construction, mechanical engineering and services sectors.

Representatives from City Deal partner organisations will be on hand to talk through their programmes and projects, outlining what contracts they’re expecting to award and when.

Business Wales and Sell2Wales will also provide an update on the support available to businesses interested in tendering for opportunities once they become available.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee Chairman, said: “Many of the City Deal’s programmes and projects are moving from detailed business case planning work into delivery, which gives a major opportunity for regional businesses to benefit from contracts that will soon be awarded.

“This event will give all City Deal partners the chance to engage with the business community at an early stage to not only inform them about City Deal related opportunities in 2021, but also to point them in the direction of support that’s available for tendering.

“Worth at least £1.8 billion and over 9,000 jobs to the City Region in coming years, the City Deal investment will help accelerate regional economic recovery from Covid-19, while leaving a long-term legacy for our residents and businesses.

“Contracts valued at around £250 million are in the pipeline for 2021, so I’d urge regional businesses to register for this online event to find out more.”

Businesses interested in registering for the event - which will be held via Microsoft Teams - should visit https://wales.business-events.org.uk/en/events/swansea-bay-city-deal-tender-opportunities-in-2021 to book a place.

The Swansea Bay City Deal is an investment of up to £1.3 billion in a portfolio of nine major programmes and projects in Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea.

The City Deal’s programmes and projects include Pentre Awel in Llanelli, Yr Egin in Carmarthen, Pembroke Dock Marine, the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District, Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth in Neath Port Talbot, and a Life Science, Well-being and Sport Campuses scheme in Swansea.

There are also three programmes and projects covering the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole: Digital Infrastructure, Homes as Power Stations, and Skills and Talent.

Funded by the UK Government, the Welsh Government, the public sector and the private sector, the City Deal is being led by Carmarthenshire County Council, Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire Council and Swansea Council, in partnership with Swansea University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Hywel Dda University Heath Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board.