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Strategic direction to the Enterprise Networks and an enterprise strategy for Scotland
our vision for a smart, successful Scotland
FEDS sets out our vision of a Scotland where the quality of life of our people is raised through increasing the economic opportunities for all on a socially and environmentally sustainable basis. To achieve this we need a smart, successful Scotland where sustained and sustainable economic growth rests on continuing improvements in productivity.
Scotland will:
- have an ambitious and confident population
- be committed to lifelong learning
- be excited by and focused on innovation
- embed sustainable development principles in all it does
We must be determined to succeed. A population which is creative and willing to take risks provides the basis not just for starting businesses but for much wider innovation: in existing companies, in government, in education, in building strong communities - in all the key facets of a Smart, Successful Scotland.
Our Framework for Economic Development in Scotland sets out the big picture, including:
- the rationale for Government intervention to support economic development
- key factors in contributing to economic growth, i.e.
- entrepreneurial dynamism, research & development and innovation
- education and skills
- infrastructure, and
- the efficient management of public sector resources
- the primary importance of increasing productivity for the competitiveness of Scottish businesses
A Smart, Successful Scotland aims to contribute to growth and productivity by focusing in on aspects of FEDS, which are key to enterprise, under three broad organising themes. Its objectives are:
Growing businesses: | Taking forward entrepreneurial dynamism and research & development to deliver innovative companies growing in scale |
Learning and skills: | Developing skills to make best use of our human capital and to prepare for tomorrow's labour market |
Global connections: | Taking forward aspects of physical and electronic infrastructure, together with building the global connections of Scottish businesses to create world class locations, part of Europe and connected to the global economy |
A Smart, Successful Scotland is the Executive's strategic direction to the Enterprise Networks but it is more far-reaching than that.
Our vision is of a nation working together to achieve a smart, successful Scotland.Of business organisations, individual businesses, universities, colleges and trade unions being guided by and being essential contributors to A Smart, Successful Scotland. Of local authorities continuing their support for A Smart, Successful Scotland through Local Economic Forums and their own delivery of services. Of a range of other public sector bodies playing their full and active part.
The organising themes of A Smart, Successful Scotland remain:
Growing businesses
Innovative companies growing in scale
New businesses are the lifeblood of the economy. We have to create the conditions in which people want to, and do, start and grow businesses. But Scotland's economic growth also depends on existing businesses growing to a scale where they can compete effectively on the world stage. Improved productivity requires continued innovation in products and processes, exploiting science and harnessing the skills of our people. We cannot compete with the best on the basis of low wages or long hours. We must encourage and support businesses to act smarter.
Skills and learning
Developing skills to make best use of our human capital and to prepare for tomorrow's labour market
We want an economy which fully exploits high skill levels. Education, at all levels, while not narrowly focused on employability alone, must contribute to a culture of enterprise and actively enable people to improve their quality of life and to take their part in a prosperous and competitive economy. Businesses, individuals and government must invest in skills development and make best use of those skills.
We must retain our current comparatively low levels of unemployment. Levels of economic activity must also be increased to boost economic growth. We will assist those who can work into employment, particularly in groups and areas where inactivity is high.
Global connections
World class locations, part of Europe and connected to the global economy
Our approach to increasing globalisation must be to embrace change not to resist it and to integrate fully the Scottish economy into the world economy. We need to tell people outside Scotland about the opportunities here for exploiting their knowledge and we need to support those working in Scotland to generate value from their knowledge around the world. We need to maintain our multi-faceted approach: to promote Scotland internationally as a world class location for business investment and to encourage Scottish businesses to undertake direct investment overseas and profit from their knowledge through international collaborations. To achieve effective integration into the world economy we need good transport and telecommunications connections. We also need well integrated approaches to ensuring that we have globally attractive locations for work, study and living as well as for visiting.
A spatial dimension
As set out in FEDS, economic growth is the basis for achieving our objectives of more even regional development and reduced disparities. Our approach will be informed by our National Planning Framework and will reflect the opportunities presented by:
- our improved understanding of the role of city regions in driving growth across urban and rural Scotland
- regeneration - working in partnership, we will exploit opportunities for regeneration where these can provide both economic and community benefits
Cross-cutting themes
The themes of A Smart, Successful Scotland interact with each other. They will be pursued in an integrated manner so as to:
- achieve our objective of sustainable development and exploit the business opportunities arising from global interest in sustainable development
- close the gap in opportunities and quality of life between different groups and areas within Scotland, strengthen communities and promote equality of opportunity
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