The number of inward investment projects into the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and the jobs created and safeguarded has fallen sharply, according to new government figures.
An analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects by the Department for International Trade forÌý 2018-19, shows the º£½ÇÊÓƵ attracted 1,782, compared to 2,072 in the previous 12 month period, representing a decline of 14% .
In the financial year prior to the Referendum result to leave the EU, some 2,265 projects were secured.
The Welsh Government said the fall in projects into Wales was a result of the uncertainty over the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's future trading relationships outside of the EU.
FDI include new investment projects into the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, as well as expansions for firms already based here and foreign ownership coming through merger and acquisition activity.
For 2018-19 the 1,782 projects promised to create and safeguarded 64,623 jobs, a fall of nearly a third a year earlier when it was 91,031 . In 2016-17 the figure was 107,898.
The split on total jobs in the latest figures is 57,625 new jobs (down 24% on the previous year) and safeguarded of 6,998 (down 54%).
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º£½ÇÊÓƵ breakdown
Only two parts of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, in Northern Ireland (up 7 to 35) and the North West of England (up three to 142) experienced a rise in FDI projects.
Some 52 projects were not geographically assigned as investments were across multiple site.
Of the nations and regions of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, London secured the biggest number of FDI projects with 627.
For England as a whole there were 1,518, Scotland 126, Wales 51 and Northern Ireland 35.
In terms of where the FDI projects were generated, 440Ìý were from US companies and investors.
Germany was responsible for 109 , India 106, Italy 101 , China & Hong 99 and France 98.
For Wales the 51 projects were down 10.5% on the previous year, compared to the overall º£½ÇÊÓƵ decline of 14%.
However, the figure represents a fall of 40% on the 85 FDI projects secured in 2016-17.
Of the 3,700 total jobs in Wales, 75% were new (2,314).
On the reduction in FDI, Welsh Government Minister for International Relations, Eluned Morgan, said: "This reduction is without a doubt caused by the significant uncertainty businesses are facing because of Brexit.
"I have spoken to countless companies in recent months, who tell me they want toÌýinvestÌýin Wales, but are put off by the uncertainly around what the º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s future relationship with Europe will look like.
"This is causing significant harm to our economy. While the work of the Welsh Government has ensured the reduction in the number ofÌýinvestmentsÌýis less than that for the º£½ÇÊÓƵ as a whole, it’s now up to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ Government to provide the certainty businesses need."
She added:Ìý "However, Wales continues to attractÌýinvestmentÌýfrom countries across the globe, withÌýinvestmentsÌýfrom 20 different countries, ranging from small European countries such as Malta and Cyprus to the large economies of the USA, UAE, China and Hong Kong.
“I’m delighted 75% of the projects that have come to Wales were supported by the Welsh Government.
"This is a clear demonstration of the vital work my department undertakes in supporting investors to make Wales their destination of choice. We will continue to do all we can to attract moreÌýinvestmentÌýinto Wales in the months and years ahead, helping to create high quality jobs in communities across the country.â€
