This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Improving competitiveness in Highlands and Islands
13/12/2005
Key representatives from the Structural Funds Partnership in the Highlands and Islands have met to discuss the implications of changes to European Structural Funds.
Highlands & Islands Enterprise, councils and a host of other local bodies met with the Executive and consultants to discuss how future funding could contribute to maximising the competitiveness of the Highlands and Islands.
Deputy Minister for Enterprise Allan Wilson said:
"As beneficiaries of European funding are aware, there are to be significant changes in the system due to the increase in member countries in the EU.
"Negotiations are currently taking place over the future budget, and we have started work on a plan to ensure whatever funding we do receive is used in the best possible way for the Highlands and Islands.
"We are working in collaboration with the organisations involved to determine what the real priorities of the region are and how best to deliver them with the more limited resources likely to come to Scotland.
"We will continue to engage with all partners throughout this period of restructuring and we are aiming to have a new system and new programmes in place by January 1, 2007."
Successful local projects such as the UHI Millennium Institute and broadband support across the region have received European funding through the current programmes.
Looking to the future, representatives highlighted ways in which local development projects could fit with Scotland-wide strategies including Closing the Opportunity Gap, Lifelong Learning Strategy and Smart, Successful Scotland.
Other issues discussed included: the sustainable competitiveness of the region's businesses, the higher and further education capacity of the Highlands and Islands, community economic development, support for renewable energy technologies and reversing out-migration from the region .
The event is the first of four which are taking place around Scotland to discuss future Scottish Structural Funds programmes.