This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Future looks bright for Edinburgh
26/05/2005
Edinburgh is a true European city and - working in partnership with Glasgow - can compete with the best, a conference was told today.
Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, Tom McCabe, was speaking at the Edinburgh City and Region Conference.
The audience included policy makers, experts, business and leaders of civic organisations who had come together to discuss the way forward for the Edinburgh city region.
Mr McCabe said the city's future had good economic and cultural foundations to build from. He said:
"It is impossible to overstate the confidence and dynamism of Edinburgh. The city has seen tremendous economic growth over recent years and is amongst the best in the UK in terms of its performance. The diversity of cultural activity throughout the region has further developed Edinburgh's profile at home and abroad and has helped make it a true European capital city.
"Successful cities attract people to live, learn, work and visit - all of which are vital in driving economic growth. They are increasingly recognised as engines of growth for the whole economy. Throughout Europe, the most vibrant economies are underpinned by successful regions with strong cities at their heart.
"Businesses rely on being close to pools of existing and new talent, to hubs of connectivity and to proven sources of knowledge and innovation. On this basis, the Edinburgh city region is well placed to continue to be a driver of economic growth for Scotland in the future.
"Edinburgh's historic strength in finance and business are now underpinned by the emerging knowledge based sectors, which are feeding off the high quality labour force based in the city region and benefiting from our world class education sector.
"There are opportunities to build on these strengths and in doing so, to address disparities between areas, improve labour mobility and develop under-used assets."
Mr McCabe added:
"Through Building Better Cities, our framework policy for Scotland's cities and Cities Growth Fund, we are empowering our cities to create their own visions for their future and set their own priorities for action, supported with resources. Edinburgh now has its own clear and constructive growth strategy for the next ten years and beyond.
"Edinburgh has also benefited, and will continue to benefit, from the Cities Growth Fund. £23 million has been provisionally allocated to the city over the two years to 2008. This builds on the £24 million is has already received. These funds are delivering projects of real significance to Edinburgh.
"It is undeniable that, on their own, Scotland's cities lack the scale of those in Europe. However, jointly, Edinburgh and Glasgow city regions offer a scale that, in terms of population, ranks in Europe's 20 largest city regions.
"Systematic and targeted collaboration at all levels will - over time - result in greater competitive advantage and allow Scotland, as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow, to punch above their individual weight."