Date Created: 16 May 2012
Scottish companies are being encouraged to say "Yes to Growth" as part of a Scottish Enterprise campaign to stimulate greater investment.
The current economic climate has seen many companies put off investment plans. Now those companies are being encouraged to come forward with proposals to grow their business and find out what advice, expertise and funding Scottish Enterprise and its partners can offer.
The campaign will target companies aiming to create long term sustainable jobs, develop new products or services, diversify into new markets or export for the first time.
These key areas offer the largest business and economic growth opportunities for Scotland.
To ensure as many Scottish business as possible get the chance to say "Yes to Growth" Scottish Enterprise has streamlined its processes and cut its red tape to make accessing support easier and faster.
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:
"The reality is that we can only get Scotland’s economy moving again if we can get Scottish companies investing. We know that companies that are continuing to focus on their growth, by identifying new opportunities and going after them, are bucking the trend and outperforming the norm.
"By encouraging more companies to increase their innovation, develop new products or enter new overseas markets, we can also help to increase our R&D and export activity and improve Scotland’s overall economic performance."
Partners across the public sector and key industry organisation that have already signed up to say "Yes to Growth" include Business Gateway, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, CBI Scotland, Institute of Directors Scotland and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
John Swinney, Scotland's finance secretary, said:
"The Scottish Government, our enterprise agencies and partners across the public sector are working tirelessly to secure new jobs and investment to Scotland. The global economic downturn demonstrated how interconnected world markets are and just as this has proved to be a challenge over the past couple of years it also now provides an exciting opportunity for new investment and growth, which this new campaign capitalises on.
"The Scottish Government Economic Strategy sets out a clear direction for Scotland to develop growth companies, growth sectors and growth markets for inward investment and exporting. This innovative campaign invites companies to come forward with growth plans, so that Scottish Enterprise can help them realise their ambitions and contribute to Scotland’s economic success."
Saying "yes to growth" is already helping Scottish companies create jobs, launch new products, explore new markets and tap into Scotland's export potential.
Read their stories and share your own investment plans at Scottish Enterprise's "Yes to Growth" website