Investment Zone

Focused on advanced manufacturing and digital technology, the Investment Zone builds on the region’s globally recognised compound semiconductor cluster to create a competitive innovation ecosystem that is locally inclusive, sustainable and future-focused.

Over the ten-year lifetime of the Investment Zone, the programme is projected to:

• Attract over £500m in private sector investment
• Create up to 4,000 high-skilled jobs
• Unlock significant new floorspace dedicated to advanced manufacturing, R&D, and innovation labs
• Boost the international competitiveness of regional businesses and supply chains
• Deliver transformative economic growth and long-term economic impact across South East Wales

A regional catalyst for world-class technology

The Cardiff Capital Region Investment Zone (CCR-IZ) focuses on Cardiff and Newport’s Travel to Work Area (TTWA), utilising a targeted set of strategic growth locations to accelerate our world-leading compound semiconductor ecosystem. with specific growth sites to boost our world-leading compound semiconductor sector, the first to be set up across the world.

While physical interventions and key infrastructure sites will be concentrated within the TTWA – capitalising on the region’s existing industrial strengths and research hubs – the Investment Zone is explicitly designed to deliver benefit across the whole region. It acts as a catalyst for long-term economic growth, supply chain deep-linking, and dedicated skills funding across all ten CCR local authorities, strengthening South East Wales’s internationally recognised technology cluster.

Unlocking a decade of growth: Our journey to delivery

CCR’s landmark £160m Investment Zone programme is now moving at pace from planning into implementation.

Following a successful co-development period throughout 2025 and 2026, the CCR-IZ has officially unlocked its long-term funding, positioning the region for a transformative ten-year delivery programme.

This major milestone was finalised in March 2026 with the signing of a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cardiff Capital Region, the UK Government, and the Welsh Government. With this historic agreement secured, the CCR-IZ now moves directly into delivery – driving economic growth, high-value job creation, and advanced skills development within our world-class compound semiconductor sector.

Developed in partnership with Cardiff Council and Newport City Council, the programme establishes a shared strategic vision for regional growth.

Building momentum: Early investment & expansion

Parallel to securing our long-term funding, current CCR-funded activity is already driving significant progress across the region. CCR has backed immediate ecosystem-building initiatives, including investing in infrastructure, accelerating supply chain development and targeted skills interventions. These early successes have established a powerful foundation for the CCR Investment Zone, enhancing our global competitiveness and ensuring South East Wales remains a magnet for top-tier business, investment, talent, and research.

Empowering skills, talent and inclusive growth

South East Wales is a premier hub for skills and innovation, and the Investment Zone is being built to secure the high-value jobs of tomorrow. By developing and retaining a world-class, diverse talent pipeline, the programme aims to ensure that our regional workforce is fully equipped to meet industry demands over the next decade and beyond.

By focusing on connectivity, opportunity and future technologies, the Investment Zone will:

• Create sustainable, high-wage careers across South East Wales
• Champion fair work principles and equitable employment
• Connect local communities and businesses directly to new economic opportunities
• Deepen and resiliently link regional supply chains
• Accelerate the delivery of next-generation innovation and infrastructure

Through these targeted interventions, the Cardiff Capital Region Investment Zone ensures that the long-term benefits of global investment and economic growth are shared meaningfully by communities across the region.