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Business innovation framework
19/06/2009
The Scottish Government's framework for innovation was published today, highlighting how Government and its agencies can support business and help stimulate innovation.
Innovation must be an integral part of business's approach to planning and growth, Finance Secretary John Swinney told the the Business in Parliament conference.
Mr Swinney said:
"Successful businesses find more efficient and effective ways to improve productivity, expand market share and increase profits. In other words, they innovate.
"The current economic challenges make the need to see and seize new opportunities ever greater. While our Economic Recovery Programme charts a path to get the economy back on track, innovation by business, government and individuals is absolutely essential to realise the global opportunities for Scotland.
"Innovation needs investment, and our proposed Scottish Investment Bank will support innovation and business growth. The enterprise agencies are supporting over 2,500 businesses through the Business Innovation Service, while our £10 million Saltire Prize is putting Scotland at the forefront of global research in marine renewables.
"Innovation for Scotland highlights how we can all work together to stimulate demand for innovation and ensure that our support is meeting it to achieve our long-term ambitions for Scotland."
Jonathan Kestenbaum, Chief Executive of NESTA, the independent organisation dedicated to making the UK more innovative, said:
"Scotland has already seen the benefits of planning for sustainable economic growth through its investment in sectors such as video games, life sciences and green technologies. The challenge is for business to continue to pioneer new technologies and approaches so that Scotland can generate more jobs and enjoy further industrial success. We look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government to implement their plans."
Innovation for Scotland follows the Skills for Scotland and Science for Scotland frameworks and shows how these are aligned with each other and to the Government Economic Strategy. It also complements the publication of the update to the Economic Recovery Programme.