The cultivation of shared priorities among businesses and politicians has put the Scottish Chamber of Commerce (SCC) in bullish mood going into 2016, the organisation’s chief executive said today.
In delivering her New Year’s message, Liz Cameron said there is “consensus on the need for Scotland to prioritise exports, wealth and jobs” and that the Scottish Government and its agencies have shown they are determined to achieve those aims.
But she said more still needs to be done to ensure politicians to see business as a partner, rather than a target which can be used to generate revenues.
And SCC will be watching closely to see how the Parliament which will be elected in May uses its array of newly-acquired, tax-making powers, she said.
Ms Cameron said: “Throughout 2016, we will argue relentlessly that politicians must do nothing that stands in the way of nurturing profitable business, as only by encouraging enterprise can our shared social aims be achieved.
“However it is constituted, we pledge to work with a new Parliament that sees business as a partner, not as a target, as only this way can Scotland create the jobs, wealth and exports that will deliver prosperity and essential support to all our citizens.”
Ms Cameron said the decision by some politicians to oppose a reduction in air passenger duty served as an example of business interests being sidelined.
She said SCC is ready to plan its part in strengthening trade links in the UK and overseas and helping Scottish businesses grasp the eCommerce nettle.
“Our initiatives range from increased international B2B trade links – for example through our engagement with our network of world-wide Chambers – to a strengthening engagement with Westminster lawmakers,” she said.
“We also have plans to promote a better understanding of the power of eCommerce, a specialist area where Scotland performs worse than all other parts of the UK.
“This B2B-dominated marketplace is just one example of how a lack of specialist skills is preventing our SMEs entering new markets, creating new jobs, and growing our economy.
“We plan to move fast to identify where the deficiencies are and to help sort them out.”
Ms Cameron added that plans for a referendum on EU membership were surrounded by “unpredictability”.