Enterprise network targets unveiled

The network helps companies across Scotland

Scottish Enterprise has set out its targets for the next year admitting the organisation could become more efficient, stronger and more cohesive.

The body aims to save a total of £200m in running costs over the next five years.

It will now concentrate on three areas - setting up new businesses, investing in skills and training, and targeting international markets.

The business development body wants to boost the number of business start-ups it aids and is looking for more than 2,000 new businesses to be launched by women.

The challenge for Scotland is to target the higher value, knowledge-base functions and to look hard at strategic areas of strength

Chief executive Robert Crawford

The detailed list of targets unveiled ranges from helping 1,100 organisations to embrace e-business, assisting the launch of 380 new products created by research and innovation, and helping to create 35 "spinout" companies from education and research bodies.

The enterprise body also aims to help 200 firms become new exporters and provide 600 introductions to new markets for existing exporters.

In the field of education and training, it wants to see 17,500 modern apprentices in training this year, a rise of nearly 2,000 on last year's figures.

The operating plan comes after a turbulent year for Scottish Enterprise.

Needless rivalry

In February, enterprise minister Wendy Alexander set out the first ever comprehensive statement on what the Scottish Executive wants from the quango and its associated enterprise networks.

Earlier, a Scottish Parliament committee had warned of "confusion, overlap and needless rivalry amongst enterprise bodies".

The business development body also came under attack last month when it revealed it had under-performed its own business start-up targets by 90%.

Scottish Enterprise chiefs said they were well on the way to transforming the organisation into a more efficient, stronger and more cohesive network providing better services.

Savings totalling £17m have already been identified and the body aims to save a total of £200m in running costs over five years.

Growth economies

One saving already put into practice was cutting the number of invoices for its mobile phones from 60,000 to 50 - a saving of £60,000.

Launching the annual plan, the body said the plan aimed to provide a solid foundation for working with companies and other organisations towards achieving the goal of Scotland becoming one of the leading high growth economies of northern Europe.

Chief executive Robert Crawford said: "At Scottish Enterprise, we are clear that our future cannot lie in trying to compete at the lower, cheaper end of the global market.

"The challenge for Scotland is to target the higher value, knowledge-base functions and to look hard at strategic areas of strength."

He went on: "In today's global economy, being small can sometimes be an advantage. Countries such as Finland, Ireland and Singapore have demonstrated that.

"We have to aim high and be determined to establish Scotland in the vanguard of nations that are leading the new economy, not merely following."