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Strategic direction to the Enterprise Networks and an enterprise strategy for Scotland
ministerial foreword
In the last three years, the three words "Smart, Successful Scotland" have become an understood and widely shared goal. I am determined to build on that consensus. The three words represented strategic direction to the Enterprise Networks. But it is now time to update the strategy and to reflect the much wider relevance of A Smart, Successful Scotland ( SSS).
A Smart, Successful Scotland concentrates on the promotion of enterprise: on business growth and on the skills of individuals underpinning that. But we are making clearer that SSS is informed by, and dependent on, our Framework for Economic Development in Scotland ( FEDS). FEDS, updated recently from its first publication in 2000, provides our overarching economic development strategy. SSS takes forward several of the key priority areas in FEDS to provide our enterprise strategy.
FEDS sets out the key factors of competitiveness which will promote our top priority of economic growth. It highlights, for example, the importance of education and effective infrastructure, including transport, water services, telecommunications and the planning system, which collectively aim to achieve, economic, social and environmental objectives. The contribution of many Departments and of many of our delivery partners is key in achieving this supporting infrastructure, which is necessary to enable enterprise to flourish and a smart, successful Scotland to be created. The Cabinet as a whole is therefore actively supporting the creation of a smart, successful Scotland.
In refreshing SSS the essentials remain. But we have interpreted the three themes in the light of changing challenges and opportunities.
There are challenges, which this Executive is determined to address, such as achieving sustainable economic growth and the integrated regeneration of places and communities.
There are continuing challenges in the nature of our recent economic development, in particular, poor productivity in comparison with competitors.
But there are also opportunities. Opportunities from the global interest in sustainable development which Scottish companies can exploit. Opportunities to transform areas of untapped potential in our cities to make them globally attractive places to do business and create wealth. Opportunities to strengthen communities in rural areas, creating employment and reversing population decline.
In all this we increasingly realise the importance not just of good legislation, of the best advice or of the right kind of financial assistance to industry, but of attitudes and behaviours which promote economic growth. Hence our Determined to Succeed initiative. The refreshed SSS reflects this need to promote confidence and creativity - not just to support the creation of new businesses but as a means of transforming our whole economic environment. We need ambitious, innovative people in our small, medium and large companies and in the voluntary and public sectors too.
This is an ambitious strategy for addressing these challenges and exploiting these opportunities. It sets strategic direction for the Enterprise Networks but, importantly, it calls on others to share and contribute to the delivery of A Smart, Successful Scotland.
JIM WALLACE
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