A new website has been launched to showcase the benefits of doing business in the South of Scotland in a bid to attract more inward investment to the region.
For the first time, the website www.investinsouthofscotland.com aims to ensure anyone with an interest in locating or expanding their business in the South of Scotland can access clear information and get in touch with the local team.
The website supports the ongoing collaborative work of the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) to deliver their vision in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) for a ‘Fairer Greener and Flourishing South of Scotland’.
The site includes an interactive map highlighting the South’s ideal location at the heart of the UK, as well as key statistics on the region.
Opportunities for investment are also included such as energy transition and natural capital, food and drink innovation, creative economy and the South’s position as the global home of the bike.
It also includes a range of inspirational case studies with businesses who operate across the South.
The project supports Scottish Government’s collective ambition to bring more inward investment to Scotland.
REP partners involved in the creation of the website have included Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders councils, South of Scotland Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and South of Scotland Destination Alliance, alongside Scottish Development International.
The partners will launch a campaign later this year to help promote the website with the aim of putting the region on the map and help to bring investment to the South of Scotland.
Chair of the South of Scotland REP, and South of Scotland Enterprise, Professor Russel Griggs said:
“The South of Scotland has space, natural resources, people and connections to UK, Europe and beyond.
“Coupled with the region being the Natural Capital Innovation Zone for Scotland and the home of green investment, the South is a great strategic choice to bring any business.
“The website, for the first time, showcases what the South of Scotland has to offer, along with many success stories from businesses already operating here.
“We wanted to create something so businesses who may be interested in locating here can easily access the information they need and get in touch with us to help progress their ideas.”
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Màiri McAllan said:
“The South of Scotland has significant potential to attract business and investment into Scotland to ensure that we thrive in the global marketplace.
“This new website is an example of the outstanding work being carried out by Team Scotland partners to deliver inward investment into the region. This will help to unlock social and economic benefits across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
“Last year’s EY survey showed that for the eighth year in a row, Scotland was the top performing area for inward investment projects in the UK outside of London.
“Our Inward Investment Plan aims to support opportunities across the whole country, including South of Scotland, helping deliver more high quality, well-paid jobs as part of a fair, green and growing economy.”
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Community and Business Development said:
“Bringing new businesses to this region is critical to further developing our local economy and supporting our amazing young people in to jobs which will allow us to retain their talent in this wonderful part of the world.
“As a region we have so much going for us, and this new website is a great way to showcase the opportunities we have for businesses to establish or relocate themselves in the South.
“As a Council we are playing our part by investing in new business infrastructure to support inward investment and ensuring our young people have the skill sets that businesses in growing sectors are looking for, including digital skills developed through our world-leading Inspire Learning programme.”
Councillor Gail Macgregor, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council said:
“Working together as one team in the South of Scotland to support businesses and communities across the South of Scotland is the top priority for all partners and this collaborative website shows what we have to offer.
“Our partnership will work closely with businesses and stakeholders to ensure we have the best help possible for businesses and investment, making use of our collective resources, intelligence and planning, and this website demonstrates this.
“We want investors and businesses to be attracted to our region and it is vital that we pull together to deliver what is best for our communities, and enterprises, now and in the future.”
David Hope-Jones, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said:
“This fantastic new resource for businesses is a real testament to the value of collaboration.
“Tourism is vital to job creation in the South of Scotland, something we can see through initiatives like the Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast cycling route, which has drawn visitors to new areas, encouraging and creating new business.
“We and our partners are also about to launch our ambitious new tourism strategy, which includes the goal of supporting 6,500 new jobs over the next decade.
“The louder we shout about what the South of Scotland has to offer, the more visitors we can attract, the stronger our visitor economy, and the greater our local economy can become.”
