Scotland's Economy

Enterprise areas

January 17, 2012 by John Swinney MSP No Comments | Category Energy

I was delighted to visit GlaxoSmithKline inIrvinetoday to announce the locations ofScotland’s four new Enterprise Areas – fulfilling the pledge we made in the Government’s Economic Strategy.

The Glaxo site will form part of the Life Sciences Enterprise Area along with locations in Moray, the Highlands, Edinburgh and Midlothian.

There are two proposed Enterprise Areas for Low Carbon and Renewables one in the East at the PortofDundeeand thePortofLeith, while the Renewable Energy Enterprise North Area will focus on Hatson and Lyness in Orkney, Arnish in the Western Isles and Nigg and Scrabster in theHighlands.

The final Enterprise Area will cover other manufacturing and growth sector opportunities at Creative Clyde in Glasgow and Prestwick International (aerospace).

When I was at Glaxo I took the opportunity to find out more about some of the work that they do in life sciences, an industry sector with real potential for growth.

We are taking a sectoral approach to the Enterprise Areas and this will build on the momentum thatScotlandhas been generating in these key areas of life sciences, renewables and the creative industries.

One of the big questions about the Enterprise Areas has been around the types of incentives that will be available.  This will depend on the characteristics of each site but will include reduced business rates and a streamlined planning process. We will announce more details shortly.

Now that the locations have been decided we can get on with finalising the details and get the sites up and running by April.

Tags: renewables

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