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Chamber updates Secretary of State on business issues

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has started off a new year of lobbying activity on behalf of business by meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore to brief him on some of the key national issues which affect the North-east.

Members of the Chamber’s Board and Council, representing a cross section of business and industry, together with partners from other agencies, met with Mr Moore when he visited the Chamber today (Jan 5) as part of his day-long visit to the region.

Top of the agenda for discussion were the ongoing significance of the energy sector to the North-east and the UK economy, and the need for ongoing Government support to support further growth and development of the industry; the need for continued and improved investment in the region's infrastructure, particularly with regard to transport and connectivity and the wider economic development of Aberdeen city and shire and its importance on a national scale to the UK’s future economy.

The Chamber team also briefed Mr Moore on some of the devolved issues, including business rates and public sector funding which have an effect on the region’s economic development.

Chamber Chief Executive Bob Collier said: “We were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Mr Moore to update him on some of the issues facing all enterprises the North-east. It is becoming increasingly evident that it is business will take a lead role in continuing to move the UK out of recession  - by creating jobs and generating wealth, and we welcome the Government’s willingness to listen to the business community to help achieve this.

“The North-east of Scotland is a very significant contributor to the national economy and it is important that we can attract the investment in our infrastructure to bring about business growth and development across all sectors. Our meeting with the Secretary gave us the chance to give him a local perspective of the current situation and both sides found the meeting very useful.”

The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said: “I was glad to have the chance to visit the North-east of Scotland and speak to businesses and members of the Chamber to hear not only their concerns but also their successes.

"As well as addressing the Chamber, I also had the chance to visit the family-run food business Macphie of Glenbervie to hear first-hand from one important sector in this area.

"The region is at the heart of Scotland's economy and will play a key part in our recovery. It is clear the private sector, including the ever-important oil and gas industry, is going to lead the way in creating the growth this government has set as its priority.

"We will work to provide a business environment which allows that to happen and creates the jobs and prosperity we need to get back to economic health."