Scotland showcases strengths and capabilities of rural economy

Scottish Enterprise is hosting a three day conference which will showcase the strengths and capabilities of Scotland’s rural economies to a global audience.

With 80% of Scotland’s rural communities already economically active, and rural business closure rates lower than the rest of the country in 2013*, Scottish Enterprise will highlight the variety of enterprises – from forestry and food and drink, to tourism and new agricultural technologies - which are thriving in remote and rural areas.

Scotland will host rural leaders from America and Canada who are visiting Edinburgh for the International Leadership Alumni Conference (ILAC) 2016.

The conference exists to foster and promote collaboration among rural leaders from around the world to share experience and best practice for mutual benefit.

Scottish Enterprise will share insights gained from its ten years of investment in rural development through its Rural Leadership Programme, and invite collaboration from partners across the world in addressing key challenges and opportunities for rural-based businesses.

One example of a rural business which has benefitted from collaborative opportunities and leadership development is Angus-based Soil Essentials which designs precision farming technologies and now sells its products to customers in Scotland and the USA. Its co-founder Robert Ramsay is a graduate of Scottish Enterprise’s Rural Leadership programme and says the course has helped him to boost the company’s success by presenting partnership opportunities, peer-to-peer mentoring and heightened market awareness.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP, said: “Scotland's rural economy offers some of the finest quality food and drink, beautiful mountains, glens, rivers and landscape - and some of the most experienced farmers, fishermen and foresters.

“An explosion in fine whiskies and gin distilleries are boosting our exports, and focus on quality using innovation and technology is promoting our quality beef, lamb, pork, salmon, potatoes, cheeses and many other products.

“There are great investment opportunities in our forestry, and tourism has upped its game over recent years with full advantage taken of our premier destinations for business and personal visits.

“As Rural Economy Cabinet Secretary I am determined to drive forward the rural economy and increase connectivity with our ambitious plans for universal access to superfast broadband by 2021.”

Julian Pace, Rural Director at Scottish Enterprise said: “We’re excited to welcome our colleagues to Scotland and show off the huge variety of enterprises which are making Scotland’s rural communities an even stronger contributor to the economy. We’re also looking forward to learning from others what works for them in different rural contexts.”

Leadership skills will also feature as an important aspect of the conference, with graduates from different rural leadership programmes sharing their successes and challenges in developing stronger businesses while based in remote areas.

Julian Pace continued: “We want to make sure that rural areas continue to thrive, on both an economic and a social level. We can help to secure this vision by sustaining good quality leadership.”