Industry and business support organisations are putting their support behind a new campaign to get Scotland's economy moving again.

Launched last week, the new campaign from Scottish Enterprise is calling on Scottish companies to say "Yes to Growth" and aims to stimulate greater investment by businesses.

It has received backing from a wide range of public sector partners including Business Gateway, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland, as well as endorsement by key industry organisations including CBI Scotland, Institute of Directors Scotland and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Recognising that, understandably, some companies are putting off their investment plans due to the current economic conditions, the campaign invites companies to come forward with new proposals that will help them grow their business, and which Scottish Enterprise and its partners can support with advice, expertise and possible funding.

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Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "The reality is that we can only get Scotland's economy moving again if we can get Scottish companies investing.

"By encouraging more companies to increase their innovation, develop new products or enter new overseas markets, we can also help to increase our R&D and export activity and improve Scotland’s overall economic performance."

Finance Secretary John Swinney commented, "The Scottish Government Economic Strategy sets out a clear direction for Scotland to develop growth companies, growth sectors and growth markets for inward investment and exporting. This innovative campaign invites companies to come forward with growth plans, so that Scottish Enterprise can help them realise their ambitions and contribute to Scotland's economic success."

Previous companies already seeing big results include:

• Specialist protective coatings company, Gemini Corrosion Services, who wanted to capitalise on its competitive advantage in the oil industry. By starting to trade overseas, together with developing new products, the company has doubled its turnover in just one year.
• Roslin-based Solid Form Solutions wanted to break into new overseas territory and diversify into unfamiliar markets. One visit to a global biotechnology conference in Korea has led to £900,000 worth of new business with other global opportunities being progressed on the back of this relationship.

Ms Wilson added: "Given some of the more negative stories about the economy, we want to send a more positive message to Scottish companies and give them the confidence to invest by letting them see the results others are achieving."

Find out more about our 'Yes to Growth' campaign.

(HMc)