A strategy to make Scotland one of the most innovative small
countries in the world has been published.
The National Innovation Strategy sets out plans to align Scotland
with European leaders such as Denmark, Finland and Norway over
the next decade by placing innovation at the heart of the
economy.
It outlines new approaches to develop world leading excellence in
key sectors – turning research into successful products and
businesses, encouraging more businesses to innovate, and improve
productivity while maximising targeted investment from Government
and industry.
Key proposals include:
- encouraging European-style clusters of similar businesses by
focusing on developing key strengths in advanced manufacturing,
health and life sciences, net zero, and data and digital
technologies
- adopting a new approach to investing in innovative companies
by reviewing existing public sector funds and improving
signposting towards other sources of finance
- supporting Scotland’s world class universities to become
better at turning research into successful products and
businesses
- taking a new approach to monitoring Scotland’s performance
and benchmarking this against similar nations
The strategy has been developed in consultation and close
collaboration with business and academia, including a steering
group chaired by Sir Jim McDonald, Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Strathclyde.
Unveiling the strategy during a visit to the Medicines
Manufacturing Innovation Centre in Glasgow, Innovation Minister
said:
“This strategy sets out our vision to become one of the most
innovative small nations in the world over the next decade. This
is key to our efforts to transform the economy and drive a
lasting improvement in Scotland’s economic performance.
“It also sends out a wider message – that we are determined to
become a world leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Scotland will use all the powers we have to create an economy
which supports businesses to thrive. We will do this by
harnessing the skills and ingenuity of our people and seizing the
economic and social opportunities provided.
"Scotland is famous the world over for invention and innovation
and today we have many strengths, including emerging and
potentially game changing advances in areas like biotechnology
and data. So we build from strong foundations.
“I am very grateful to Sir Jim and to all those from business,
academia and across the public sector who contributed to the
development, and will be key partners in the delivery of this
strategy.”
Sir Jim said:
“It has been a privilege to have co-chaired the Steering Group of
entrepreneurs, industry experts, academics, business leaders and
investors that has played a key role in shaping this strategy.
Scotland is already home to a number of globally competitive
research intensive universities and some of the most exciting and
innovative companies in the world and this strategy focuses on
actions required to scale, accelerate and further unleash the
potential of innovation across the country.
“Countries that can show agility and harness the power of new
ideas and new technologies will thrive and become magnets for
talent and investment over the next decade and beyond. We must
also support the development of a much more diverse and inclusive
community of entrepreneurs, researchers and business leaders
which in itself will create a more innovation-led ecosystem. I
believe that this strategy will help Scotland regain its position
as an international innovation leader.”
Background
Scotland's National
Innovation Strategy is available on the Scottish
Government website.
CPI's Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre enables industry,
academia, healthcare providers and regulators to collaborate in
developing new technology to improve the medicines
supply chain.
Scotland's National
Strategy for Economic Transformation - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
