SCDI is aware of the strong partnership which Bank of Scotland staff have built up with many of our members over many years and the support it has offered to the wider Highland economy and community. Some impact in the Highlands from branch rationalisation may, sadly, be anticipated, but SCDI hopes that these close relationships are retained and strengthened.

SCDI has been monitoring the situation very closely, given the concerns about the impact of this development on the wider Scottish economy. We were in touch with HBOS at a national level last week and offered our additional external assistance, particularly in communication between the company and our broad membership. They have said that HBOS regards SCDI as one of its important stakeholders and that they will make sure we are in the loop.

Lloyds TSB are also members of SCDI and we know of their commitment to a range of industry sectors which are vital to the Highland economy. SCDI will remain in close contact with both banks as the merger is concluded and operational changes are made. We will keep our members' informed and bring our members' concerns to their attention.

The Highland economy is still resilient, but these events have dispelled any lingering notion we can be immune to the consequences of the credit crunch. SCDI is working with our partners in both the private and public sectors to assess the scale of the challenges facing the economy, and seek to find solutions.

We have participated in a report which Highlands and Islands Enterprise has commissioned on the state of the regional economy. We know that the credit crunch is preventing the delivery of new housing in the Highlands, and we will work with Highland Council and partners to find ways to ensure that it continues to be developed to sustain economic growth in the area. At a national level, in the last fortnight SCDI has met the first minister, John Swinney and Jim Mather to discuss the economy, and we look forward to the enterprise minister's meeting with our members in the Highlands in the next couple of months.

We will continue to bring members' issues to the attention of the highest levels of Government and work with them to identify action.

We must also continue to look to the future and there are still many good reasons to be optimistic about the Highland economy.

Last week SCDI held its annual dinner to celebrate Business Excellence in the Highlands and Islands. Winner of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise prize for Research and Innovation was Inverness-based Dan Medical Ltd which is designing and manufacturing state of the art medical diagnostic devices for the global healthcare sector.

It was one good example of a Highland company leading the way.

Business News - only in Tuesday's Courier
SCDI annual dinner - awards and pictures
Clamour for shares in turbine co-op
Claims of snub for Highland food
Promotion at consulting engineers
Business Diary 

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---