JOHN Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, enjoyed breakfast with the Fife Economy Partnership yesterday morning, Tuesday, 13 September.
Mr Swinney met with members of the Fife Economy Partnership, and representatives from the Fife Chamber of Commerce, Fife Council and the Institute of Directors to discuss a business charter.
The charter, prepared by the Fife Economy Partnership, outlines the economic challenges Fife faces. The Partnership hopes that the document will help inform the Scottish Government of the issues which need to be addressed to ensure the future growth of the Fife economy.
Chair of the Fife Economy Partnership, Fraser Phillips, said: “The aims of the Fife Economy Partnership are to encourage investment, sustainable business growth, regeneration and increased productivity.
“Following the election of the new Scottish Government in May, we prepared the business charter, calling for the support of the Government in addressing issues key to Fife’s business community.”
Mr Phillips continued: “The actions which the Charter presents, if supported, will help achieve the aims of the Fife Economic Strategy, namely to attract increased private sector investment, grow Fife’s tourism revenue and increase employment in key areas such as renewable energy.
“We enjoyed a positive discussion with Mr Swinney over which a number of the main calls to action were debated.
“These included supporting the continuing growth of Fife as a centre of excellence for renewable energy, increasing access for local businesses to public sector procurement opportunities and maximising the local economic impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing.”
Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “This meeting was an excellent opportunity to meet people involved in driving the Fife economy forward and to hear about the challenges and opportunities that exist across the area.
“The Fife Economy Partnership is a welcome demonstration of what can be achieved by collaborative working and the confidence which Fife Council, and its partners in the public and private sectors have in the future of Fife.
“The economic benefits that can flow from this approach in terms of economic impact are substantial.
“The business charter, sets out what is needed to build on the progress that’s already been made in the area through the spirit of co-operation that exists in the Fife Economy Partnership.
“The charter also sets out how the Scottish Government can work with our partners in the public and private sectors to build sustainable economic growth.
“There is clearly an excellent business base in Fife which can take advantage of the increasing importance of growth markets and help us meet our ambition to increase exports by 50 per cent over the next six years.”
Leader of Fife Council, Councillor Peter Grant, said: “On the day after John Swinney announced the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy we were delighted to welcome him to Dunfermline to discuss how we in Fife can work with the Scottish Government to make sure we get through the recession in the best possible shape to take advantage of the recovery when it comes.
“The charter has given us the opportunity to make sure that the Cabinet Secretary is fully up to speed on the challenges facing the Fife economy and the action we can all take to meet those challenges.”
ENDS
Picture shows from left to right:
Councillor Peter Grant (leader of the administration, Fife Council) John Swinney MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth) and Fraser Phillips, chair of the Fife Economy Partnership.
Notes to editors:
• The Fife Economy Partnership is the economy theme group of the Fife Community Planning Partnership. Formed in October 2008, the partnership brings together key players from industry and the public sector to identify and drive forward strategic policies and initiatives to grow the Fife economy.
• The Fife Economic Strategy 2009-2020 sets out the future direction for Fife’s economy and outlines a number of priorities for the region over the next decade. The strategy’s vision is to encourage sustainable economic growth and to make Fife the easiest place to do business.
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Contact: Fraser Phillips (chair, Fife Economy Partnership) email: phillipsf@silberline.com (PA Janette Johnston tel: 01333 433503)
Issued: Locals, Scotsman, Herald
Web: www.fifeeconomypartnership.co.uk
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Contact: Frances Chisholm
Phone: 08451 555 555 Ext 442689
Email: frances.chisholm@fife.gov.uk
Website: http://www.welcometofife.com
