This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Funding for enterprise projects
12/02/2007
Additional funding of £40 million is to be made available to Scottish Enterprise to support a range of capital projects.
Two of the projects earmarked for additional funding are:
- Early-stage plans to create an Advanced Forming Research Centre, which will develop new technologies to improve and speed-up high-precision manufacturing processes, particularly for engineering companies making high quality metal components
- A new energy development centre in Aberdeen providing high-quality business units in response to demand within the energy sector. These units will be made available on flexible leases to technology companies working on research, design and development
Enterprise Minister and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"As part of its future planning processes, Scottish Enterprise has identified a number of exciting projects which can make a significant positive economic impact. The capital investment approved by Ministers mean these can now be developed and delivered more quickly.
"These plans include a mixture of local regeneration projects, supporting growth plans for key industries such as life sciences and energy, and opportunities to deliver some innovative solutions to boost Scotland's global reputation in high-value, high-end manufacturing."
"I am particularly pleased to see the number and range of new projects coming from Scottish Enterprise. This capital investment demonstrates a commitment to finding innovative ways of growing the economy in the face of substantial global competition.
"I have now asked Scottish Enterprise to take these proposals to the more detailed stage and report regularly on the progress it is making."
This additional funding will form part of the allocations to local enterprise companies and other parts of Scottish Enterprise which will be finalised over the next few weeks.
This funding has been made available from extra central resources for 2006-07 and 2007-08.