O ran yr economi, siaradais am yr heriau economaidd sy’n wynebu Cymru yng nghyd-destun dylanwadau ehangach o’r Deyrnas Unedig, Ardal yr Ewro, ac economïau eraill y byd a sut y mae’r ffactorau hyn wedi effeithio’n ganlyniadol ar y farchnad lafur yng Nghymru. Os ydym am weld adferiad economaidd, rhaid gwella’r cymorth a roddir i’r sector preifat. Pwysleisiais fod angen y pethau priodol yn eu lle i gynllunio ar gyfer twf economaidd, gan gynnwys grymoedd cyllidol megis grymoedd benthyca, gan fod Cymru dan anfantais yn hyn o beth ar y foment. Fodd bynnag, pwysleisiais, hefyd, y gefnogaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei rhoi i fusnesau yng Nghymru drwy fuddsoddi mewn twf a swyddi yn y dyfodol drwy Gronfa Twf Economaidd Cymru, Cronfa Buddsoddi mewn Cwmnïau Bach a Chanolig eu Maint a Chronfa Fenthyciadau i Ficrofusnesau. Rydym hefyd wedi targedu sectorau twf penodol gyda mynediad ychwanegol at gymorth ariannol, megis Cronfa Fuddsoddi Gwyddorau Bywyd Cymru, gyda chronfa o £25m ar unwaith.
On the economy, I set out the economic challenges facing the Welsh economy in the context of wider influences from the UK, Euro zone and global economies and how these factors have consequently impacted upon the labour market in Wales. If economic recovery is to occur, assistance to the private sector must be improved. I emphasised that in order to plan for economic growth the right tools are needed including the necessary fiscal powers such as borrowing powers, which presently puts Wales at a disadvantage. However, I highlighted the support Welsh Government is providing to businesses in Wales by investing for future growth and jobs through the Wales Economic Growth Fund, the Wales SME Investment Fund and the Micro-Business Loan Fund.  We have also targeted specific growth sectors with additional access to finance help, such as the Welsh Life Science Fund with an immediate £25m fund.