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Scotland to launch new international strategy |
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Monday, 07 April 2008 |
The Government is exploring closer links with Seattle, home to Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather has held a series of meetings with business and civic leaders in the city to discuss ways in which Seattle and Scotland can
collaborate “and position us both to succeed in today’s economy”.
Visiting the city last Monday as part of Scotland Week, the Minister said:
“For any economy to thrive, it needs two things: a talented work force and a competitive advantage. Seattle – rated as America’s most highly educated city
– gets this,” he said.
“And perhaps it is no surprise that Washington is one of America’s few states thathas no personal or corporate income tax and at the same time is the home of such international giants. The new Scotland gets this, too.”
Mather’s initiative follows a meeting earlier this year between Robin Naysmith, the Scottish Government Counsellor for North America, and members of Scottish Development International at which Seattle was identified as an area of opportunity.
It is among several changes, which include a dedicated programme for Canada, to the blueprint devised in 2004 under the previous administration.
First Minister Alex Salmond will unveil the new strategy on April 29.
“The first key objective will be to help achieve the Government’s overall purpose of sustainable economic growth,”
said Leslie Evans, director of its Europe, External Affairs and Culture Directorate.
“The second will be to influence people to choose Scotland as an excellent place to live, learn, visit, work and do business,” she told a recent meeting of the Parliament’s External Affairs Committee.
“The third will be to promote Scotland as a distinct global identity. In this regard, we will consider issues and policies such as public diplomacy and nation branding.”
Evans said it would require the Government to be realistic about what it could achieve and identify where it alone could add value “as opposed to supporting and developing the expertise, experience and activity of others who work in the field.”
It would mean maintaining engagement with stakeholders throughout the strategy, not just at the outset. And although the Government’s strategic objectives are clear, she said, how Scotland is promoted will be different according to sector, market and customer.
“Finally,” said Evans, “we want to take advantage of our size and be agile, fleet-footed and nimble enough to be able to capitalise on opportunities
and areas in which we have a competitive advantage, such as the reputation of our universities and education system, the finance sector and life
sciences.”
One person has commented on this article. 1. Scotland to launch new international strategy
Anonymous, Unregistered Another freebie on the taxpayer then...
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 April 2008 )
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