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New south of Scotland enterprise agency to be created New south of Scotland enterprise agency to be created
(35 minutes 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.
Mr Brown launched the report while meeting Dumfries and Galloway business Kite Power Systems.Mr Brown 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".
"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. In addition to the new enterprise agency the final report also includes:
"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," said Mr Brown.
"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 skills agencies to help learners and businesses.
"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."
'Dither and delay''Dither and delay'
However, south of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth criticised the three-year timescale for getting the new organisation fully set up. However, south of Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth criticised the three-year timescale for getting the new organisation fully set up.
"A proposal was put to the government that would have seen a new agency up and running within months using the local councils under current laws," he said."A proposal was put to the government that would have seen a new agency up and running within months using the local councils under current laws," he said.
"Clearly the government's obsession with centralisations means they want to control everything including this new agency."Clearly the government's obsession with centralisations means they want to control everything including this new agency.
"The document they have published simply cuts and pastes the one the two councils produced in relation to the boundaries of the new body and what its aims should be."The document they have published simply cuts and pastes the one the two councils produced in relation to the boundaries of the new body and what its aims should be.
"But the Scottish government hasn't proposed anything itself other than dither and delay.""But the Scottish government hasn't proposed anything itself other than dither and delay."
'Swift implementation'
Dumfriesshire Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell MSP said the announcement had his "wholehearted support".
"This is a Conservative manifesto commitment that is set to be delivered," he said.
"There is no doubt that the extra Conservative representation following the 2016 Scottish Parliament election reinforced the need for the Scottish government to take the economic priorities of the south of Scotland more seriously."
Susan Love of the Federation of Small Businesses said the Scottish government deserved credit for pursuing reform.
"While the review process was difficult and sometimes fraught- it looks to us like there's much to be applauded," she said.
"These good ideas now need careful and swift implementation."