Growing the economy and the art of the possible
In a highly competitive global economy, we must back Scotland's existing strengths, such as in food and drink, financial services, and energy, whilst attracting new opportunities in data, space, and life sciences. With economic security a major concern, we must support our critical technologies clusters and develop circular solutions which safeguard our access to critical raw materials as well as attract investment to Scotland from higher UK defence spending.
It isn't enough to create the conditions to produce more at home if we have nowhere to sell them. Building trade partnerships with markets such as EU, US and India is vital to help domestic firms grow.
Scotland is good at making new discoveries, but we sometimes struggle to make money from them. Adapting procurement rules to make the public sector the 'first customer' for Scottish tech and research is one eye-catching idea. A post-election cross-party approach to shaping a funding model that puts our world-leading higher education institutions on a sustainable footing would ensure that our universities continue to be engines of growth and opportunity.
Our infrastructure is creaking, with delays in the planning system holding back growth, so brownfield housing developments should be fast-tracked and modern methods of construction embraced to enable 25,000 homes to be built a year.
Cleaning up our economy and improving living standards are two sides of the same coin. Energy transition provides a once in a generation opportunity. A relentless focus to provide economic certainty and remove barriers to skills reform, competition, infrastructure delivery, and innovation is needed more than ever to realise its potential. A pragmatic transition from hydrocarbons towards renewable and low carbon energy in the North Sea will also help the oil and gas supply chain invest in new opportunities.
Empowering Scotland's regions would help align funding and unlock investment. A mission-driven approach, with government setting and sticking to high-level priorities, will enable progress by front-line organisations, and this must be backed with multi-year budgets to invest in new ideas and ways of working.
Once the votes are counted, Prosper stands ready to bring government, business, the third sector and communities together to make prosperity possible for Scotland, as we have done for nearly a century.
Sara Thiam is Chief Executive, Prosper
Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk
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Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
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- Daily Mirror
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