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New south of Scotland enterprise agency to be created New south of Scotland enterprise agency to be created
(about 1 hour later)
A new enterprise agency is to be created to "meet the economic needs of communities" in the south of Scotland.A new enterprise agency is to be created to "meet the economic needs of communities" in the south of Scotland.
The move is part of the final report from the Scottish government's enterprise and skills review containing a range of measures to help business.The move is part of the final report from the Scottish government's enterprise and skills review containing a range of measures to help business.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said it showed how to "transform the performance" of the economy.Economy Secretary Keith Brown said it showed how to "transform the performance" of the economy.
He said it recognised the need for dedicated support to southern Scotland as already offered in the Highlands.He said it recognised the need for dedicated support to southern Scotland as already offered in the Highlands.
He launched the report while meeting Dumfries and Galloway business Kite Power Systems.He launched the report while meeting Dumfries and Galloway business Kite Power Systems.
The company has secured £7m of equity funding for its innovative approach to harnessing wind energy.The company has secured £7m of equity funding for its innovative approach to harnessing wind energy.
He said the report contained measures to "enable more businesses to deliver strong, vibrant and inclusive growth at scale".He said the report contained measures to "enable more businesses to deliver strong, vibrant and inclusive growth at scale".
'Distinctive needs'
"From better co-ordination of our international activity to ensuring young people are equipped with the skills they need to succeed, this review has delivered a package of reforms that will drive change across the country," he said."From better co-ordination of our international activity to ensuring young people are equipped with the skills they need to succeed, this review has delivered a package of reforms that will drive change across the country," he said.
"We have recognised the importance of providing dedicated support to the south of Scotland in the same way we currently do for the Highlands and Islands."We have recognised the importance of providing dedicated support to the south of Scotland in the same way we currently do for the Highlands and Islands.
"A new agency will be established to meet the distinctive economic needs of communities in the south of Scotland.""A new agency will be established to meet the distinctive economic needs of communities in the south of Scotland."
He said they were also putting "greater urgency" behind plans for "joining up the efforts of our skills agencies to help learners and businesses get the training they need".He said they were also putting "greater urgency" behind plans for "joining up the efforts of our skills agencies to help learners and businesses get the training they need".
"Businesses will benefit from streamlined innovation support through a new digital access point, building on the recent success that has seen Scotland move into the top group of EU nations as regards innovation performance," he said."Businesses will benefit from streamlined innovation support through a new digital access point, building on the recent success that has seen Scotland move into the top group of EU nations as regards innovation performance," he said.
"The fundamentals of Scotland's economy are strong and - as this report confirms - we are doing all that we can to build upon these further.""The fundamentals of Scotland's economy are strong and - as this report confirms - we are doing all that we can to build upon these further."