Mid-Wales inventor shines - against all odds

2.45.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 17th Oct 2007

Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson for Economic Development and AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has praised Mr Simon Sharma, an entrepreneur from Llandrindod Wells who this week will have his invention showcased at the British Invention Show in London.

"I am delighted that one of my constituents will be part of such a prestigious event. Entrepreneurialism brings greater economic activity, stability and increased wages and is vital for a forward moving economy and society.

"I am proud that despite WAG's policy of ignoring economic life north of Merthyr and south of Wrexham, successful individuals such as Mr Sharma, are proving that, despite poor investment, mid wales has some fantastic entrepreneurs and businesses. However we need greater support and vision from the Assembly Government to ensure that others can follow in his footsteps.

"The Lib Dems would ensure that the percentage of Welsh GDP invested in research and development reaches European levels in the next 15 years and would develop improved links between the higher education research and the business sector.

"We also want to see stronger ties between businesses, local entrepreneurs, schools and colleges, through buddy schemes and all-Wales competitions, to ensure young people have first hand contact with inspirational role models from a young age."

Simon Sharma has developed an 'inverse genealogy software', called "The Whole Life Viewer" which enables people to keep multimedia records of their lives on computer for future generations. Storage space includes documents, letters, pictures, and videos to voice recordings. Mr Sharma, is one of 14 inventors from Wales to be exhibiting on the Wales Innovators Network stand.