The first Welsh Freight Conference will held next week as the industry voices concerns over rising fuel prices.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport at the Welsh Assembly Government, will be the keynote speaker at the first Welsh Freight Conference, to be held at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff on Wednesday 9 July. The event is being organised and hosted by the Freight Transport Association on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Mr Jones said, "I am pleased to promote the Wales Freight Strategy. Freight logistics account for some six per cent of employment in Wales and the industry contributes approximately £2.5 billion to the Welsh economy and it is clear that freight plays a vital role in wealth creation in Wales.

"The aim of the Wales Freight Strategy is to promote an efficient, effective and sustainable freight transport system to support a growing economy and is in keeping with the aims and objectives set out in the One Wales document."

The movement of freight is an essential element in the economy of Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government is committed to delivering a modern, efficient and sustainable transport system.

The Wales Freight Strategy sets out high-level aims and policies for freight transport, and identifies a series of steps towards their delivery. 

Many of the steps set out in the Strategy contain elements which are aimed at reducing the overall impact of freight transport, through modal shift or efficiency measures, and to reduce the impact of freight transport on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

The free of charge conference will address key issues, including the importance of freight to the economic success of Wales; the changing face of the supply chain in Wales; the threat to the Welsh supply chain due to escalating fuel and logistics costs; and the long-term vision for the efficient movement of freight in Wales.

Speakers will include Callum Couper, Chairman of the Wales Freight Group and Deputy Port Manager for ABP South Wales Ports, and Professor Garel Rhys Chairman of the Welsh Automotive Forum and member of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Department for Economy and Transport Ministerial Advisory Group.

FTA’s Head of Policy for Wales, Stephen Kelly said, “The attitude of the Welsh Assembly Government and the publication of the Wales Freight Strategy represent major ingredients in the path towards more efficient movement of freight in Wales – an issue important to every member of the population. 

“The Freight Transport Association has been delighted to have formed part of this project and the conference is the first step in what we intend to be a process of improving freight operations to the benefit of industry, the environment and the consumer.”