The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will lead a new project to draw up a regional economic development policy for Wales.

The Paris-based organisation will provide advice to the Welsh government, as the latter implements its new Economic Action Plan and develops a strategy for regional investment in Wales after Brexit.

The OECD’s (www.oecd.org) input is intended to ensure that international best practice is embedded in the policy.

The organisation has provided advice to the Welsh government before; in 2014, it produced a report to help improve schools in Wales.

Ken Skates, minister for the economy and transport, said: “Our new Economic Action Plan is a major public policy reform, and I want to ensure that we receive the very best advice to help us achieve our economic ambitions.

“The changes we have outlined in the plan to boost regional economies across Wales are profound, as is our ambition for stronger regional partnership working in Wales to boost inclusive and sustainable growth.

“We have asked the OECD to advise us on ways to strengthen regional economic governance, build capacity and support more-joined-up economic policy making, including through developing a practical tool-kit for both us and our partners to use to support those changes.

"We must ensure that Wales remains competitive and that we benchmark ourselves against the best — and learn from great ideas and new innovation around the world.”