Scotland's Economy

This week: 12/4/2019

April 12, 2019 by paulobrien No Comments | Category Brexit, Economy, Energy, Exports, Finance

Offshore wind summit announced

Trade unions, offshore wind developers, supply chain companies and government will come together to look at maximising the offshore wind farm sector. The Scottish Government and UK Government will host the Edinburgh summit to look at how UK companies can benefit more from the build-out of offshore wind farms in UK waters. Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will co-host the summit with UK Energy Minister Claire Perry. Mr Mackay said: “Scotland has all the natural resources required to make it an ideal location for offshore wind but we need to ensure our economy isn’t missing out from key contracts going overseas. We are committed to maximising the sector in Scotland but we cannot do it alone – we need the whole industry to work together.”

Galalaw Business Park opens thanks to £1m of Scottish Government support

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn visit Hawick to help open the new units at Galalaw Business Park, built with support of £1.025 million from the Scottish Government.

Trade Minister heads to Scandinavia

Trade Minister Ivan McKee took a 2 day Trade and Investment visit to Sweden and Denmark this week. Two of Scotland’s most important countries for trade and investment he was spreading the message that Scotland remains open for business despite ongoing Brexit uncertainty.  

Scotland praised as a leading technology sector destination

A major new report by global commercial property consultancy CBRE asserts Scotland’s strengths as a leading technology sector destination, with Glasgow and Edinburgh ranked second and third in the UK outside London. Digital Economy Minister Kate Forbes said it was great to see two of Scotland’s main cities recognised as powerful twin centres for tech investment in the UK. Ms Forbes said: “With only 45 minutes between these two complementary cities, they have rightly established themselves at the vanguard of gaming, cloud computing, biotech, cyber security and data-led solutions. Their combined strength in universities, research and talent markets should see them stay at the peak of this CBRE index for years to come. The Scottish Government and our enterprise and skills agencies will continue to do all we can to support these cities and the companies who choose them to remain at the cutting edge of digital development.”

New fund to support active travel through social housing providers

A new fund to encourage more people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys is now available for registered social landlords in Scotland. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) is working in partnership with Cycling Scotland, Living Streets Scotland and Sustrans Scotland to provide £950,000 in funding from the Scottish Government. Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson, said: “This has been designed as a high-impact fund which will provide greater sustainable transport options and offer healthier lifestyle choices within Scottish communities – with a particular focus on improvements in our most deprived areas. We’ve supported similar funds in the past which have improved active travel facilities within businesses, schools and universities, however, this is the first time a range of partners have come together to work directly with housing associations.”

A90 Laurencekirk junction contract awarded

In relation to the A90 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement scheme, Transport Scotland has announced the intention to award a £300,000 ground investigation contract to Allied Exploration and Geotechnics Ltd. Subject to completion of the mandatory standstill period, work is programmed to start in early May and expected to be on site for around eight weeks.

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