Scotland's Economy ScotRef

Scottish Business Buzz (15.02.17)

EU’s Brexit Chief Negotiator: Europe cannot afford to lose Scotland

Guy Verhofstadt has said Europe is well aware that a majority of Scots voted to stay within the bloc in last year’s referendum.

“Europe hasn’t forgotten that a large majority of the Scottish people voted to remain,” Verhofstadt said. “We need the Scottish people and their firm European beliefs.”

Read more.


First fintech accelerator of its kind in Scotland to open in May

A centre of excellence dedicated to financial services technology will open in Edinburgh this May, based at the Entrepreneurial Spark hub at Royal Bank of Scotland’s Gogarburn headquarters.

The facility is expected to bring industry leaders together with Entrepreneurial Spark’s expertise in building and growing businesses of scale. The fintech sector is estimated to be worth around £6bn to the UK economy.

The new Scottish hub is being billed as central to ambitions for Scotland to become a world leader in fintech.

Read more.


£1.44m tourism fund second wave launched to entice international visitors to Scotland

Business led tourism organisations are encouraged to apply for some of the £1.44m tourism Scottish Enterprise Tourism Fund, for the chance to create exciting high impact projects to entice international visitors to Scotland.

The Scottish Enterprise Tourism Destination Development Fund was launched in March 2016, with the aim of increasing the quality of visitor experiences to Scotland and ultimately increasing visitor spend.

The fund offers up to £250,000 to groups of businesses, working together under a lead organisation. A call for expressions of interest from applicants will be open from Friday 10th February until the 21st of April with funding decisions expected in October 2017.

Read more and how to apply.


Steel and Oil & Gas low priority in Brexit negotiations 

Officials have divided British industries into high, medium or low priority categories according to a document which was obtained by The Times, with the future of the steel and oil & gas industry deemed to be a low priority in Brexit negotiations.

The government plans to focus most of its efforts on higher ranking sectors including pharmaceuticals, carmaking, textiles and clothing, aerospace and air transport industries, while industries like steel, construction, oil and gas, telecoms, environmental services, water and medical will remain lower priorities.

It has since been said that the list does not reflect the government’s view of the importance of the sector but rather the level of work needed to assist them through the Brexit process.

Read more.


Business for Scotland launches Fast Start to Indyref2 Crowdfunder

With 20% of the target met, Business for Scotland needs your donations to fund out campaigning efforts for our Fast Start to Indyref2.

We’re renewing the business and economic case for independence, with in-depth research and exciting new projects to kick start a new referendum campaign.

Our Ambassador training programme is also making a comeback, where you can learn everything you need to know to make the case for independence, and the economic advantages of independence to Scotland.

Our running expenses are covered by memberships, but we need to raise more in order to campaign more effectively as our competitors have already raised more than ten times our available funds.

You can support the campaign here.

Watch the Crowdfunder video, and please give what you can to help us win this time.


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About the author

Rhona Middler

Rhona was Business for Scotland's Engagement Executive and Events Manager.

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