ICC Wales has announced that it has awarded contracts worth more than £22m to businesses in South Wales for the construction of the Newport convention centre, providing a massive boost to the economy of the region.

The contracts, which represent hundreds of local jobs, have been awarded to 22 firms from across the South Wales region for the construction of the venue, and cover all aspects of the build, from brickwork to catering, metalwork to carpentry.

An £83.7m joint venture between Celtic Manor and Welsh Government, ICC Wales will accommodate 5,000 delegates when it opens in the summer of 2019 and includes a 4,000sqm pillar-free main hall, a 1,500-seated auditorium, 12 flexible meeting rooms, a double-height glass atrium and a 2,500sqm outdoor plaza.

The contract for the kitchen equipment has been awarded to Newport-based Shine Catering Systems. Managing Director Julian Shine said: “The building of ICC Wales represents an enormous boost to the region and Shine Catering Systems is proud to be part of a large team dedicated to the success of this project.

"We will devote in excess of 500 person-days, and we estimate that five additional people will be employed specifically for this project.

"This facility will be of international importance upon completion, with the ICC Wales catering team able to deliver their renowned catering standards, upscaled to challenge the world’s greatest venues.”

One of the biggest value contracts has gone to Cardiff-based CMB Engineering.

Director Peter Davies said: “CMB Engineering is proud to have been awarded the mechanical services contract for ICC Wales. We expect to devote close to 20,000 person-hours for the mechanical works, which would equate to a workforce of approximately ten people. These figures will potentially double with sub-contractors employed by us.

“The construction of the convention centre will provide much needed conference facilities to enable Wales to compete on the world stage, and further contribute to the regeneration of the local area and economy.”

Martin Jenkins, managing director at Hazelwood Carpentry Contractors Ltd, based in Pontypridd, said: “Hazelwood Carpentry Contractors Ltd is scheduled to be involved in the construction of ICC Wales for at least eight months, employing a minimum of 15 skilled carpenters, all of whom live within a 30-mile radius of the project.

“This project offers us the opportunity to deliver some exciting bespoke joinery as well as the general carpentry within the development. As a Welsh company, being involved in the carpentry and joinery for this outstanding new convention centre is an excellent opportunity to showcase the expertise we have in this part of Wales.”

Other Welsh companies to win substantial contracts on the development include Manorcraft of Hengoed, Newport’s CJN Engineering, Neath’s Concrete Flooring and Structures, Port Talbot Brickwork, DJ Construction of Port Talbot, Puma Flooring of Cardiff, Specialist Precast Products of Caerphilly, Classic Decorators of Barry, and Rowecord Total Access of Swansea.

Russell Phillips, ICC Wales vice president of facilities and development, said: “It’s very important that ICC Wales benefits the local community and becomes an integral part of it, so it was vital that we employ companies and people here in Wales to help us build it.

"We are making fantastic progress on the build, and are on target to meet our completion date in the summer of 2019. We couldn’t do it without our dedicated local contractors, who are helping to turn our ambitious vision for Wales into a reality.”

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “Our new £84m International Convention Centre will be a huge economic asset to Wales, enabling us to compete with any venue in Europe to attract key events. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration between Welsh Government and the private sector.

"Of course the construction phase of this project also offers significant opportunities to business. I am delighted that Welsh companies have been successful in securing contracts worth £22m, which will help to provide jobs and increased prosperity in Welsh communities.”

When it opens next year, ICC Wales will provide total floor space for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and events of 26,000sqm – the equivalent size to nearly four international rugby pitches.

When complete, ICC Wales is expected to bring £70m a year into the Welsh economy. Between 250-300 jobs will have been generated in the construction of the venue and around 150 permanent jobs will be created when the venue is operational, with many more in the supply chain.