John Swinney: Forum positive about the future

Mar 27 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THIS week I took part in the National Economic Forum, a gathering of business people, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations and Government which meets twice a year to advise Ministers on the steps we can take to improve the performance of the Scottish economy.

It was set up before the current economic downturn but its relevance is all the greater given the circumstances in which we now find ourselves.

It was a very useful gathering and was conducted in a really constructive spirit.

Two points struck me about the event. Firstly there was a clear sense that we are all in this together. There was a recognition that employers and employees, Government and the private sector had to work together to address the economic difficulties.

That is a great advantage for us to have if we are prepared to work together to make a real impact on the challenges we face.

Secondly, there was a positive response to the Government's invitation to contribute to the economic recovery programme we have put together to support businesses and families through these times. The Government has set out its programme for economic recovery and is keen to ensure we hear all of the best suggestions about how we can use our powers to make a difference. That willing approach to learn lessons from others is a key part of ensuring we properly and fully engage all the best talents in Scotland to help us through this economic storm.

All of the position is not however doom and gloom. I have been greatly encouraged by the positive view from the tourism industry of the opportunities that lie ahead for our great industry this year. Many tourism businesses have told me of their delight at having a national marketing campaign – the Year of Homecoming – to attract new business to Scotland. The early signs are that the Year of Homecoming will prove a great opportunity for Scotland and that can only be great news for Perthshire. Our county has an immense opportunity with tourism and I know businesses throughout the area will seize that opportunity.

The Government's economic recovery programme delivered in Perthshire this week with the start of improvement works at the Bankfoot Junction. This has been a notorious junction for road safety and many people have been very concerned about the dangerous steps required to get in and out of Bankfoot. I pay warm tribute to the Auchtergaven Community Council which has worked with me over the years and I am delighted to see the work underway. It will mean some disruption on the road but I hope people will appreciate this is a necessary step to improve public safety.