A collaborative effort involving public, private, and academic organisations has culminated in the launch of a ten-year strategy aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands. The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) has unveiled its Regional Economic Strategy 2025-2035, presenting a vision for a thriving, resilient, and inclusive region by 2035.

The strategy directly addresses key challenges impacting businesses and communities in the area, including the high cost of living, population trends, and connectivity issues. Aligning with the objectives of its member organisations, it underscores the necessity of collaborative actions at a regional scale to overcome these hurdles while seizing significant opportunities that could generate thousands of jobs and inject millions of pounds into the regional economy.

Informed by thorough research, analysis, stakeholder surveys, and a public consultation, the strategy outlines a firm commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable housing alongside improvements to transport and digital infrastructure. A significant focus is placed on the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on maximising economic and community benefits while driving the region's transition towards net zero emissions. The strategy also highlights the critical need to enhance skills and workforce capabilities to meet future demands across various sectors.

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Cllr Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council and current chair of HIREP, commented: "The Highlands and Islands is a region with tremendous potential. Realising that potential and building a vibrant economy and leading Scotland's transition to net zero requires collaboration on a very broad scale."

He added: "That's what this strategy is all about. It's a major step in our joint efforts to build a dynamic, connected, resilient and prosperous Highlands and Islands. I very much look forward to working with the HIREP partners to deliver the actions that will make a real and lasting difference."

Established in 2021, HIREP brings together a diverse range of interests from the public, private, academic, and third sectors to pursue economic opportunities and address challenges throughout the Highlands and Islands. It operates as one of eight Regional Economic Partnerships across Scotland. Since its inception, HIREP has been actively involved in various policy areas, including housing, population attraction and retention, skills development, childcare provision, and community wealth building, in addition to exploring sectoral opportunities.

The partnership places a strong emphasis on collaboration, ensuring community benefits, and leveraging the unique strengths of the region to tackle its specific challenges and opportunities. HIREP plays a crucial role in developing a regional vision that aligns with the Scottish Government's National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).

The membership of HIREP includes a wide array of key organisations such as local authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), NatureScot, VisitScotland, Bord na Gaidhlig, HITRANS (the regional transport partnership), Cairngorm National Park Authority, the Crofting Commission, as well as representatives from the business community and third sector organisations.