Working with public sector partners
As a small country, Scotland’s public sector can utilise more effectively its potential advantages of speed in decision-making, nimbleness and co-ordination.*
The Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy recognises that a number of public sector bodies have a shared responsibility in supporting businesses deliver Scotland’s economic prosperity. Scottish Enterprise most certainly cannot deliver the Scottish Government’s ambitious growth targets on its own. We will therefore continue to work closely with our public sector partners to ensure a joined up approach to meeting the objectives of the Government’s economic strategy.
For example:
- We will work closely with the newly formed Skills Development Scotland and continue to work with Higher and Further education to ensure the skills demands of Scotland’s key sectors are fully articulated and addressed.
- We will work increasingly closely with Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This will include developing consistent models for the delivery of account management services and joint working with priority industry sectors.
- Internationally through Scottish Development International, a joint venture with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government, we will continue to focus on the internationalisation of Scottish businesses and the attraction of high value opportunities to Scotland. Through Globalscots and our International Advisory Board we will also look to harness the skills, experience and goodwill of the Scottish diaspora for the benefit of Scottish businesses.
- We will develop a new relationship with Local Government which builds on the distinctive but complementary capabilities of both parties.
For example: - In supporting individuals to start businesses, Local Authorities will now lead on providing this service through Business Gateway. This will be overseen by the Business Gateway management board which will have business representation to ensure it is responsive to the real demands of customers and that there are robust arrangements in place for identifying and nurturing companies with exponential growth potential.
- Responsibility for local regeneration has been transferred to Local Authorities but we will continue to work collaboratively with them on specific business infrastructure projects which have a national or regional impact e.g. Clyde Waterfront, to ensure the collective effort achieves significant outcomes for increasing sustainable economic growth.
- Scottish Enterprise will also work closely with Europe for the benefit of Scotland, particularly as a strategic delivery body for applying European Structural Funds. For example £24 million of European Funding has already been channelled into improving the risk capital market in Scotland through the Scottish Co-Investment Fund with further significant EU funds being sought to continue this successful investment vehicle.