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.