Business Comment
Stewart Nicol
THIS week will be busy for many in the Highland business community and for all of us at Inverness Chamber of Commerce. In a few days time we will know the results of the Scottish election and who the nation has chosen to lead it in these uncertain and testing times.
On Friday we host the region’s flagship business event, our annual Highland Business Dinner, at which the keynote after-dinner address will be delivered by well known journalist, broadcaster, political aide and author Alastair Campbell.
As I reflect on the potential outcome and the needs of Highland business, I am increasingly convinced that Scotland needs strong government not more politics. Moving forward in these challenging times effective partnership working between the private and the public sectors will become increasingly critical. While we both have our contributions to make, the public sector’s role is not to improve employment figures through direct employment; rather to provide an environment which will facilitate and sustain business growth.
Along with many other chambers across the country, Inverness chamber recently launched its pre-election manifesto setting out its business agenda for the new parliament. The common theme in these documents is how Scotland’s private sector can be better equipped to transform our economic fortunes. The forthcoming elections come at a crucial time for the Scottish economy. Scotland stands at a crossroads. As the recovery strives to achieve momentum, we have the opportunity to place our historic reliance on our public sector to one side and embrace a prosperous future, delivered through a vibrant private sector economy. New business and employment opportunities can be fostered but this will require clear vision from government to direct its attentions towards creating the conditions for growth and supporting economic development in Scotland.
I believe we have a parliament at Holyrood that is evolving as an institution and that can act as a positive instrument of change. Even before it is endowed with new powers under the Scotland Bill, there is much it could be doing to support Scottish businesses within its current remit. The various chamber manifestos are concise summaries of local businesses’ views on just how this can be achieved.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce believes passionately that local businesses across the Highlands have a crucial role to play in powering the recovery in Scotland. However, we need the support of the soon-to-be elected Scottish government to allow us to grow and create the employment and wealth Scotland needs.
In keeping with the political theme, I am delighted that Alastair will speak at our dinner. He is undoubtedly best known for his role as former prime minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy. Alastair follows a long line of high profile speakers — including impressionist Rory Bremner, journalists John Sergeant and Andrew Marr and former CBI director Lord Digby Jones.With Alastair’s great political insight, we are assured of a controversial, thought provoking and entertaining evening. The event will also provide us with an excellent opportunity to celebrate the ongoing achievements of the region’s business community and develop increasingly important business relationships.
