CBI Scotland has called on the new Scottish Government to cooperate across party lines and collaborate with the business community to establish economic growth as the ultimate priority of this parliament. The appeal comes in advance of its annual business lunch in Edinburgh on May 22.

With experts in agreement that the Scottish Government is confronting a demanding fiscal deficit in the coming years, the business group contends that the nation is in a race against time to stimulate significant economic growth and alleviate escalating pressure on public finances.

To re-energise the economy and restore prosperity, CBI Scotland has outlined a five-point plan for the incoming administration:

Business rates reform: Restructure a failing system that affects businesses of all scales and currently penalises, rather than incentivises, capital investment and expansion.

Planning reform: Restore investor confidence by addressing an inefficient system that serves as a major barrier to economic progress and has left numerous strategic, shovel-ready projects stalled.

Upskill for the future: Launch a national skills strategy and modernise the Apprenticeship Levy system to ensure the skills framework is transparent, aligned with current and future employer demand, and focused on lifelong learning rather than short-term management.

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Focus on competitiveness: Narrow the regulatory and tax differences with the rest of the UK and prevent unnecessary policy divergence to enhance Scotland's appeal to talent and investment, ensuring regional firms operate on a level playing field.

Get Scotland moving: Guarantee investment for transformative infrastructure developments, such as full rail electrification and the Clyde Metro, to improve the transit of people and freight while unlocking labour markets, investment zones, and supply chains.

The event, which is sponsored by CMS, features keynote addresses from First Minister John Swinney MSP, a leading entrepreneur and founder of The Hunter Foundation, and the SSE Chief Executive and CBI Scotland Chair.

Michelle Ferguson OBE, CBI Scotland Director, said: "Our message to the new Scottish Government, and to new and returning MSPs, is a simple one: against a backdrop of rising costs and global volatility, growth really is the 'only game in town' – so it's time to roll up our sleeves and get on with it.

"That means using every lever available to boost productivity and unlock vital investment. Business stands ready to play its part, but urgency is key. We can't afford to sit on our hands, or we risk a worsening fiscal position and the potential for great commercial opportunities to slip through our fingers.

"Yet, for all of the challenges that Scotland faces, the country stands on edge of huge opportunity – there aren't many small economies that can boast our talent, innovation and knowhow. By backing our people and businesses, we can turn that economic promise into the kind of tangible, on the ground, delivery that can transform lives and communities across the country.

"Realising that potential doesn't just mean doubling down on legacy strengths. It means being clear eyed about the opportunities of the future and staking our claim in the innovative, high value industries that are powering global growth – areas like AI, life sciences and the energy transition."