- Co-chair announced for group to work with private sector
Involving businesses at an early stage of policy development will
be one of the key aims of a group established by the Scottish
Government to deepen links with the private sector.
Dr Poonam Malik, Head of Investments at the University of
Strathclyde, will co-chair the New Deal for Business Group
alongside Wellbeing Economy Secretary .
Meeting for the first time on Wednesday (17 May), it will focus
on four key areas - economic conditions and performance; ensuring
the best environment to do business; and a transition to a
wellbeing economy.
Aims of the group include:
- agreeing ways to involve business at the earliest stages of
policy development, to ensure it is effective and proportionate
- improving the development and implementation of regulation –
such as public health restrictions on advertising and promotions
- and properly assessing its impact on particular sectors
- establishing a consultative sub-group to advise on further
enhancements to the Non-Domestic Rates system, following the
final implementation of the independent Barclay Review
- demonstrating how business contributes to a wellbeing economy
– for example supporting parents into jobs - and working in
partnership with employers to maximise this
- collating and sharing data and evidence across sectors to
dictate the response to emerging opportunities and changes in the
business climate
Wellbeing Economy Secretary said:
“I look forward to working with Dr Malik and other members of the
New Deal Group to deepen our relationship with business, not only
by engaging and communicating, but actively working together to
achieve common goals and align Scottish Government policy with
business.
”In the Scottish Government’s Policy Prospectus, the First
Minister pledged to help business and trade to thrive and
maximise the opportunity of the green economy, with fairness at
its heart.
“Only by working closely with business can we hope to achieve an
economy which prospers while caring for people and planet. This
is our vision for a wellbeing economy.”
Dr Poonam Malik said:
“I look forward to working as part of the New Deal for Business
Group to build constructive relationships and push forward a
successful and enabling wellbeing economy for Scotland –
something I’m passionate about. The establishment of this Group
is timely, given external turbulences and big economic
challenges, but I believe we can work through these together to
make the most of the opportunities of a Just Transition.
“My experience has shown me that improved collaboration and
meaningful engagement can bring about positive change in growing
economies and support businesses with purpose to have a positive
impact on communities. We will take a refreshed approach to our
common vision and shared economic goals to deliver a healthy and
happy future with the equitable and fair society that we all
aspire to.”
Background
Dr Malik has extensive experience in leading and mentoring small
businesses as well as working in research, innovation,
enterprise, governance, health and business sectors globally. She
is a Board Member of Skills Development Scotland, as well as a
Climate Champion for the Scottish Enterprise Board. Dr Malik is
also a GlobalScot – an international network of business
leaders, providing Scottish companies with critical market
insights and highlighting opportunities in Scotland to potential
investors.
The New Deal for Business Group will include business leaders,
along with representatives from organisations including the
Scottish Retail Consortium, Scottish Tourism Alliance and Fraser
of Allander Institute.
The Scottish Government’s Regulatory Joint
Taskforce will take forward actions in relation to
regulation.
