This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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European Partnership conference
15/03/2004
The South of Scotland provides excellent examples
of how innovative schemes and partnership working can
ensure maximum benefit from Structural Funds, the
area's European Partnership conference in the Tweed
Horizons Centre was told today.
Deputy Enterprise Minister LewisMacdonald said:
"Each time I have been to this area to see the
long term practical results of Structural Funds
investments, I have been struck by the way in which
partnerships at all levels and across local boundaries
have maximised the impact of these investments.
"Particularly important have been partnerships across
the whole area from Eyemouth to Stranraer. Joint
working between local authorities and the Scottish
Enterprise network has grown strongly.
"Other examples that I have visited include the very
impressive Crichton Campus inDumfries, where higher and further education are working
together with the business community to make learning
accessible to all. I have also seen the community use
achieved by conversion at the North West Resource
Centre.
"In Selkirk, I saw the good work done to convert
a redundant mill into a modern business centre, now the
home of about 10 individual businesses," he
said.
Mr Macdonald also outlined how EU enlargement
would bring challenges as well as opportunities. He
emphasised the importance of continuing to make the
most of structural funding, which is likely to focus on
Accession Countries after 2006.
He said :
"The debate around the future of the Structural
Funds has only just begun. It is essential that
Scottish Ministers and our local and regional partners
continue to engage in the debate, in order to ensure we
get the best possible outcome for our regions.
"And it is important in the meantime that we all
work hard to make the best possible use of the
Structural Funds available now, to secure benefits
which will long outlive the current Programmes."