Diaspora engagement organisation GlobalWelsh will play a key role in Welsh Government efforts to promote Wales to the world.
It comes are winning a competitively tendered contract to support the Welsh Government in delivering on its new international strategy.
The new partnership will be focused on extending support to Welsh entrepreneurs and businesses with international trade ambitions and developing new diaspora-led inward investment opportunities for Wales.
Over the past three years, GlobalWelsh has built a global community of 11,000 and launched engagement platforms and programmes across its key focus areas including investment, mentoring, networking and thought leadership.
It founder and chief executive of GlobalWelsh, Walter May, said: “If there ever was a time for Wales to reach out to the diaspora, it’s now. We have upwards of three million friends, scattered all over the world, and it’s never been easier to engage and mobilise their goodwill.
"GlobalWelsh is one of the first diaspora organisations in the world to build the technological facility, together with supporting programmes, that enable the diaspora and the home nation to proactively connect, collaborate, support and invest in each others’ careers and business ambitions. ”
A report, conducted by GlobalWelsh in 2015, found that more than 100 governments worldwide were developing strategies to engage their diaspora, recognising the role key members of the diaspora can play in improving the economies of their country of birth, ancestry or affinity, without having to return home permanently.
Mr May said: “We are delighted that the Welsh Government recognises the role of the Welsh diaspora as an untapped resource of knowledge, connections and soft power that can actively contribute to Wales’ economic well-being and global presence.
"We are looking forward to supporting the government and unearthing new opportunities for Wales and Welsh businesses, together with the diaspora.”
