Highlands & Islands Enterprise

The remit of HIE integrates economic and community development. It is a Scottish Government agency for the North and West of Scotland. Its main purpose is to generate sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands. HIE invests millions of pounds of grant-in-aid funding each year to deliver the objectives of the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy. They have four priorities:

1. Supporting businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations
2. Strengthening communities and fragile areas
3. Developing growth sectors particularly distinctive regional opportunities
4. Creating the conditions for a competitive and low-carbon region

HIE Areas:

• Argyll and the Islands– based in Lochgilphead, partners include Argyll and Bute Council, North Ayrshire Council and Loch Lomond and the Tossachs National Park Authority.
• Caithness and Sutherland– Economic fragility remains a challenge, employment prime focus of HIE
• Inner Moray Firth– Most densely populated area, scores high in quality of life surveys
• Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross– population growth over last 30 years although smaller rural communities losing population to larger centres- fuelled by immigration, especially retirement. Young people leave in pursuit of education. The area in Scotland that sends highest proportion of school students to university- well-educated area. However lack of opportunity for vocational training
• Moray– strongest food and drink export businesses in Scotland and world?s leading whisky brands. Home to premier international food brands- Walkers Shortbread and Baxters Food Group.
• Orkney– high economic activity rate. Reliance on agriculture and fishing- last 20 years been a growth in employment in economic sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, food processing and renewables.
• Outer Hebrides– bound together by the Gaelic culture and language which exerts a strong influence. The area is designated economically fragile, so the need for sustainable development opportunities, which combine economic, social, cultural and environmental attributes, is paramount.
• Shetland- Comprises of more than 100 islands, 16 of which are inhabited. It has a vibrant culture and a strong identity which owes much of it historic links with Northern Europe. It is also home to the world biggest fire festival. Fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture and oil industry are the largest sectors.

HIE provides a wide-range of enterprise and community support services. For more details see www.hie.co.uk

Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise (SE)?identify and exploit international opportunities for Scotland’s economic growth. They do this by supporting Scottish companies to compete, helping to build globally competitive sectors, attracting new investment and creating an open and responsive business environment. They also work with partners to stimulate economic growth, exploit low carbon opportunities, improve Scotland’s business infrastructure and support businesses.

• Growth companies
• Innovation
• Internationalisation
• Low carbon
• Renewable energy
• Business environment

The aim of Scottish Enterprise is to build a more international Scotland. Their main activities focus on the operational areas they have prioritised, based on the contribution they can make to deliver this growth more quickly. The strategic priorities of Scottish Enterprise guide their response to economic opportunities and allocate resources where they know they can have the greatest impact on Scotland?s economy.

Scottish Enterprise also support positive and transformational change in key sectors and provide opportunities for Scotland in global markets. The Government Economic Strategy identifies particular sectors with significant opportunities for growth. Their input is tailored to where we add most value and impact.

Reference: www.scottish-enterprise.com

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