SKILLED jobs could be created in Swansea with the help of a cash boost from the Welsh Government, it has been claimed.

Cardiff Business School has released a report which said Wales needed to be more competitive in terms of inward investment.

Dave Howells, managing director of Gorseinon-based industrial compressed air systems specialists, Ultra.air Group, said they were trying to tap into the Welsh Government-run Wales Stimulus fund for their latest development.

He said the firm was looking for funding to manufacture an environmental product which it would export across the world.

He said: "The system would remove oil from water in manufacturing plants.

"There are two European manufacturers of these oil water separating systems. There's no manufacturers in the UK or Wales.

"We would make a system which would allow us to compete in the market.

"If our development is successful it opens up a whole new raft of opportunities for the business by means of creating sustainability and profitability for the business, sustainable growth for the business and also creating numerous jobs.

"The important fact is they are skilled jobs and not minimum wage jobs."

The report by the Cardiff Business School outlines the roles of agencies in attracting inward investment and recommends closer working between agencies in Wales.

Chairman of Cardiff Business Partnership, Adrian Clark, said: "Attracting investment into Wales continues to be essential and selling Wales should be a team effort.

"Cardiff is a shop window but other cities also play a big part."

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Government said selling Wales to the world would be central to boosting the Welsh economy.

She said: "We need to showcase what we have to offer.

"That is why last year the First Minister led trade missions to New Zealand and China and this year already has overseas visits planned to New York and India."

The Welsh Government is now considering opening an office in central London and is preparing a detailed itinerary of Welsh trade missions and other opportunities to promote Wales overseas.

rupert.hall@swwmedia.co.uk