AN EBBW Vale enterprise zone focused on the motor industry will attract international manufacturing companies to Blaenau Gwent, councillors will be told next week.

The Welsh Government has selected Ebbw Vale as one of seven specialised enterprise zones (EZ) to be set up by the end of 2012.

The EZs are designed to boost local economies by encouraging firms to invest with tax breaks, as well as high-speed broadband, and support with education, training and transport.

Blaenau Gwent council’s executive committee will hear more details about the plans for Ebbw Vale when they meet on Wednesday, including the four sites around which the EZ will be focused.

Rhyd Y Blew, The Works, and Rassau Industrial Estate at Ebbw Vale have all been put forward as proposed sites, as well as Tredegar Business Park, although the council is still waiting for confirmation from the Welsh Government that these sites are acceptable.

Councillors will also hear how the Ebbw Vale zone will complement a range of other initiatives designed to attract investment and create jobs, including the development of an international motorcycle race track on land above Rassau, the dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road and the regeneration of the borough’s town centres.

It also says that an enterprise zone could support the development of a motor technology park linked to the proposed race track at Rassau, and will bring international and UK manufacturing companies to the region.

Blaenau Gwent’s chief regeneration officer Gareth Jones said the council will now meet with the Welsh Government to sort business rate relief for companies that invest in the EZ, and planning issues.

The Welsh Government has set aside £10 million over five years for business rate relief.