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    • Business plan 2008-2011
      • Measuring our contribution
        • The contribution of Scottish Enterprise

The contribution of Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise can play a catalytic role in contributing to the overall target of raising GDP growth rate to the UK level by 2011. In addition, we play an important and direct part in contributing to the other indicators, particularly helping the Scottish economy to match the growth rate of small independent EU countries by 2017 and to rank in the top quartile for productivity amongst our key trading partners of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) by 2017. We recognise the interrelated nature of these targets, and the central importance of raising GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in delivering the Government’s ambitions on Solidarity, Cohesion, Participation and Sustainability.

Within this framework, the analysis in the Government Economic Strategy shows that the overall target of increased GDP growth is driven by increased productivity, population growth and economic participation. Scottish Enterprise is best placed to focus on the first of these: productivity.

Furthermore, the strategy diagnoses Scotland's current poor productivity performance being down to shortfalls in enterprise, innovation, investment and skills. Scottish Enterprise is best placed to focus on the first three of these. In doing so, we will contribute to the National Outcomes and National Indicators of the Government’s overall framework.

Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise will provide responsive and focused enterprise support, helping growth companies and industries to reach their full potential.

• This will help meet the Government’s “national outcome” to realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for all our people.
• This will contribute to the National Indicator to increase the business start up rate and to grow exports at a faster average rate than GDP. Scottish Enterprise’s focus will be on high growth start ups and the continued growth of existing businesses.

Innovation

Stimulate innovation to support business growth including exploiting new products, processes and technologies.

• This will help meet the Government’s “national outcome” so that Scotland is better educated, more skilful, more successful, and renowned for our research and innovation.
• This will contribute to the National Indicator to at least halve the gap in total research and development spending compared with the EU average by 2011 and the knowledge transfer of research activity in universities. Scottish Enterprise’s specific focus will be on the application of this research and development by businesses.

Investment

Creating the right conditions for growth companies and industries to have access to property, markets and finance to help them grow.

• This will help meet the Government’s ‘national outcome’ so that we live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe.