This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Devolution working for business - FM
29/04/2002
Scottish Ministers have acted on business concerns and will continue to work closely with Scottish businesses, is the resounding message from First Minister Jack McConnell and Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Wendy Alexander, who this evening will be holding a 'listening to business' forum in Edinburgh.
Speaking ahead of the gathering, the First Minister said
"As we approach the third anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, it is appropriate to look forward and focus on our strategy for Scotland's economic future. We are determined to modernise the Scottish economy meeting the challenge of increasing growth, improved productivity and encouraging entrepreneur.
"Devolution has made it possible for Scotland to take charge of a number of key economic levers: science; skills; education; lifelong learning; and enterprise are all within our powers. Since devolution we have put in place the vital building blocks for transforming the Scottish economy.
"Today's forum is important. It is only by listening to business and working together that we can build a better Scotland."
Enterprise Minister, Wendy Alexander, also today officially launched the Pathfinders to the Parliament Progress Report.
The Minister said:
"This report not only demonstrates our commitment to listen to business, and to respond effectively, but it also shows that we are willing to report back on achievements made and work in progress. More than 90% of the original report's recommendations have either already been achieved or are in progress, which is a significant achievement for the Scottish Parliament and the business community."
"I do not underestimate the scale of the challenges Scotland faces. But our new strategy for creating a smart successful Scotland through investing in Scottish science and skills will see Scotland setting the pace in years to come. We have delivered much - but we still have a lot to do. Together with the business sector can we succeed in building a smart successful Scotland."
In January 1999 Lord Macdonald, the then Scottish Business & Industry Minister, launched the "Pathfinders to the Parliament" initiative. The aim of the initiative was to give key industrial and business sectors the opportunity to set out their priorities for action by the forthcoming Scottish Parliament. The initiative formed part of the Government's determination to work with, and learn from, the Scottish business community, and to improve business's understanding of the powers, and responsibilities, of the new Parliament.
13 Pathfinder Groups were established. Each one was chaired by a senior figure with expertise in, and a sound knowledge of, that particular sector. The Groups were: Construction, Defence, Drinks & Hospitality, Electronics, Engineering, Finance, Manufacturing, Retail, Small Business, Textiles, Tourism, Transport and Utilities.
The "Pathfinders to the Parliament" Report was published in March 1999 drawing on the recommendations of each of the Groups which had considered issues within their particular sectors. The Pathfinders to the Parliament Progress Report published on 29 April 2002, sets out the recommendations, by sector, of the 1999 Report and provides comment against each of them.
Achievements include:
- A new collaborative relationship established between the Scottish Executive and the Enterprise Networks
- Regional Selective Assistance redesigned to focus more on nurturing indigenous, high quality companies
- Small Business Gateway set up in 2000 and Local Economic Forums established the following year to simplify business support services
- Science Strategy for Scotland published in August 2001
- Careers Scotland established April 2002