Scotland's Economy

  • Scottish Tourism Week

    2nd March 2012 by

    This week VisitScotland is getting involved in Scottish Tourism Week which offers an exciting programme of events focusing on the Scottish tourism industry. Scottish Tourism Week takes place every year pushing tourism very much into the spotlight of stakeholders throughout the country.

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  • Strengthening planning performance

    2nd March 2012 by

    Planning Minister Derek Mackay with head of Planning and Sustainable Development, Dr Margaret Bochel, and Councillor Callum McCaig

    I’ve been in listening mode since becoming Planning Minister last December, getting a fuller understanding of the links between the planning system and our broader Economic Strategy. Of course planning must support our overarching purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.

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  • Tourism – the next generation

    2nd March 2012 by

    Tourism is very important for the Scottish economy and we need a constant supply of fresh talent to maintain the excellent worldwide reputation that we have in the hospitality sector.

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  • Open letter to business

    24th February 2012 by

    Last year, I wrote to Scottish businesses to assure them that the Scottish Government is doing everything possible within our current powers to ensure Scotland remains the most competitive place to do business in the UK. Today I have written to our businesses to outline how our Budget maintains that commitment with 57% of Scottish business properties currently paying zero or reduced business rates bills.

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  • Green Investment Bank debate

    22nd February 2012 by

    I was delighted to meet with members of the Edinburgh Green Investment Bank Group today, ahead of opening the debate in Parliament in support of the bid. The Green Investment Bank is an excellent opportunity for Edinburgh and for Scotland and I firmly believe Edinburgh is the best city in the UK for the Green Investment Bank to be based.

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  • Inverness Campus

    21st February 2012 by

    I was glad to see work getting underway on the new Inverness Campus as the project is already creating some exciting developments for the local economy, with more to come.

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  • Primark invest in Edinburgh

    15th February 2012 by

    In December major retailer Primark open its long-awaited store on Edinburgh’s Princes Street. This is significant for two reasons. Firstly it’s changed the shopping landscape on one of the world’s most famous streets. Secondly, it has brought more than 500 jobs to city.

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  • Budget for economic recovery

    8th February 2012 by

    I confirmed today that additional capital spending of £382 million for 2012 -2015, supporting around 5,000 jobs, has been allocated to support Scotland’s economic growth. This is a Budget that boosts public sector capital investment, takes direct action to tackle unemployment, in particular youth unemployment and enhances economic security across the Scottish economy.

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  • David Hume Institute Speech and Interview

    3rd February 2012 by

    I enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the David Hume Institute last night and set out Scotland's economic opportunities under independence. The Scottish Government video team interviewed me at the event and audio clips of the speech and Q&A are available.

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  • David Hume Institute

    2nd February 2012 by

    This evening I will address the David Hume Institute in Edinburgh. In the speech I will discuss Scotland’s position in the global economy and set out the Government’s vision for capitalising on new opportunities in global markets. My opinion pieces in the Financial Times and Scotsman outline some of the areas I will discuss tonight.

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