Finance secretary visits Dundee campus to discuss national strategy for economic transformation

“We are ready to help do our bit and are confident that our aims and plans for the future support the ambitions of this strategy”

The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes MSP, visited the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee campus to discuss the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, which sets out a clear commitment to support a more progressive wellbeing economy agenda and provides Scotland with an opportunity for global leadership.

During a roundtable session held at Intelligent Growth Solutions’ Crop Research Centre, Ms Forbes met with Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, IGS and Entrepreneurial Scotland representatives, as well as business leaders from across Scotland.

Ms Forbes said: “Fundamentally, this strategy is about people seeing opportunities and going after them. We want Scotland to be the best; it’s not just about being on the playing field, it’s about winning at what we do.”

The James Hutton Institute has received significant inward investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal and is using it to attract world class talent to the heart of Tayside and foster an environment of innovation and collaboration.

Professor Campbell commented: “International competition for talent is fierce, and we need to promote what Scotland has to offer in terms of opportunities and quality of life. We also need the state-of-the-art facilities to attract the leading minds - this will be key to our success.

“Right now Scotland, and indeed the world, is facing some of our biggest challenges along with the unprecedented threat of climate change. Our National Economic Strategy needs to support and develop the skills of individuals within society in order to be successfully delivered.

“We are ready to help do our bit and are confident that our aims and plans for the future support the ambitions of this strategy.”