This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Manufacturing Advisory Service
16/09/2004
A Manufacturing Advisory Service is to be established in
Scotland to provide practical, hands-on advice to
companies, the Parliament was told today.
Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace also announced that the
Executive would examine the case for a Scottish Institute
of Marketing to assist businesses more effectively.
The Minister was opening a debate on Growing Scotland's
Economy. He gave an assessment of economic prospects, set
out the progress made in the last year and highlighted key
areas which would be crucial in the coming months.
Mr Wallace said:
"The Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group asked us to
examine manufacturing support. Having done so, I can
announce that we will create a Manufacturing Advisory
Service which will support Scotland's small and medium
sized manufacturing companies.
"The aim is to provide high quality, tailored advice to
help them grow, exploit new business opportunities and
thereby generate greater wealth."
The MAS will focus on best practice, communication, and
specialist skills and training, aiming to improve
productivity and innovation.
On business marketing, the Minister said:
"From a variety of discussions I have had in recent
months, it has become increasingly clear to me that
business feels that more could be done to assist them with
various aspects of marketing.
"I have therefore asked my department to examine the
case for a Scottish Institute of Marketing or the most
effective means of delivering appropriate support to
business in this area."
Speaking more generally about the state of the Scottish
economy, he said:
"Since 2001, our growth performance has largely matched
that of the UK. Predictions of what will happen next year
vary, but there is agreement amongst economists that
Scotland can expect to enjoy growth above our long-term
trend rate for this year.
"Looking ahead, the prospects appear generally to be
positive. Business surveys predict that output and
employment in both the service and manufacturing sectors
will continue to expand.
"There is clearly more that needs to be done. We must
raise levels of economic activity - unacceptably high
levels of inactivity still prevail. I am also acutely
aware that in a tighter labour market, the pressure to
update skills is greater than ever before."
A recommendation to review the support framework for
manufacturers in Scotland, and put in place a more
accessible and comprehensive system, was made by the
Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group in their report
Nurturing Wealth Creation.
The Executive and the Enterprise Networks, working with
the Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering and an
industrialist, have undertaken the review. It focused on
the experience of a similar service being offered by the
DTI in England and Wales, and how best to fit a MAS into
the existing business support system in Scotland.
The new service will link closely with the Business
Gateway, and details on implementation and introduction
will be worked out in the coming weeks with Scottish
Enterprise and external stakeholders.