Moray firms to discuss prospects for business growth
25 March 2012
Scotland’s Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing will hear first hand from business leaders in Moray on their business growth plans when he addresses the Moray Chamber of Commerce ‘Prospects for Growth’ conference on Monday.
Delegates will highlight the findings of a recent business survey, commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, which revealed ongoing concerns about business rates, transport infrastructure, town centre revitalisation, inward investment and red tape.
Business leaders will also have an opportunity to quiz the Minister in a question and answer session.
Mr Ewing said: "The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring Scotland retains its position as the most competitive environment to do business in the UK.
“Scotland also offers businesses the most generous package of reliefs anywhere in the UK, worth more than 500 million pounds in this financial year. Almost three out of every five commercial premises in Scotland now benefit from tax breaks through the Small Business Bonus Scheme.
“At a time when the UK Government is rationalising the support it offers to businesses, Scotland continues to offer the support that business needs, when and how it needs it. Business Gateway, delivered through local authorities, will continue to offer a range of business advice and support services to all Scotland's potential start-up, early stage and established businesses.
“We continue to work closely with the Moray Chamber of Commerce and Moray Economic Partnership to identify new opportunities to support new jobs, investment and economic growth in the Moray area. I look forward to discussing the actions and policies this Government is taking to support economic recovery across the country.”
The event will be hosted by Jim Royan, chair of Moray Economic Partnership, the cross agency body set up in 2011 to respond to the economic challenges facing Moray, including the closure of RAF Kinloss.
Jim Royan said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s support for business through initiatives such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme, and the continuing focus on creating employment and growth. The pledge to upgrade the A9 and A96 is also potentially transformational for the Moray economy, as a means of encouraging inward investment and inbound tourism, two key priorities for the region.
“The Scottish Government’s support for the campaign to retain RAF Lossiemouth was also welcome, and gives local business greater confidence for the future.
“However, with the economy effectively flat-lining and unemployment continuing to rise, there are real challenges for small and medium sized businesses, particularly those in relatively rural areas such as Moray. We are grateful to the Minister for meeting with local businesses and we look forward to him outlining the Scottish Government’s plan for growth.”
The event is a follow up to Moray Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Ambitions for 2012’ summit, held last December, which brought together representatives from the public and private sector to discuss business hopes for the future.
Delegates were also presented with the findings of the Chamber’s annual business survey which included calls to improve road and rail links, cut red tape, reduce business rates, speed up the planning process, revitalise empty town centre shops and improve access to bank lending in order to boost business growth.
Around 42% of businesses said they expected a better performance in 2012 than in 2011, but 40% were still unsure, and 18% expected a worse year ahead.
Lesley Ann Parker, chief executive of Moray Chamber of Commerce, added: “Our business survey suggests that local businesses are still very cautious about the short term future, with almost one in five expecting a worse business performance in 2012 than in 2011. As a Highland MSP, Fergus Ewing will well understand the pressures facing small and medium sized businesses in Moray, and we look forward to hearing his views on how we can achieve a return to growth.”
Ahead of the conference, Richard Hartland, corporate director of Environmental Services at The Moray Council said the local authority was committed to reducing planning red tape, citing the local authority’s decision to grant Baxters planning permission for a new food production unit.
He said: “The Moray Council is pleased to have granted planning permission for the Baxters new food production unit at Fochabers within six weeks of the application being received, well within the Government target.
“This reflects the improvements in Moray Council performance in planning and its commitment to facilitating sustainable development to the benefit of the Moray economy and its community.”
The Prospects for Growth summit will be held at The Barn Bistro, Greenfields, Lhanbryde near Elgin on Monday 26 March. Registration begins at 8.00am.
To book for this free event, contact Moray Chamber of Commerce at info@moraychamber.co.uk or call 01340 881226.
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Media Enquiries
Lesley Ann Parker, Moray Chamber of Commerce
01340 881226 / 07887 846495