Work is still needed to convey the role of Scotland’s financial sector in fuelling the economy, while Holyrood and Westminster should collaborate to help catalyse economic recovery, according to a new survey from Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE).
A new survey has shown that 76% of Scots believe Scotland is a good place to do business, with just 12% disagreeing with that statement.
However, only 44% think that the Scottish Government has the right policies in place to make Scotland an attractive place for inward investment, with 38% stating it does not have the right policies in place.
The poll was conducted by Survation on behalf of True North at the start of August among 1,002 Scottish adults, finding that hospitality and tourism (with 71%) was believed to be the most important sector in terms of recovery and growth following the pandemic.
The energy sector followed on 65%, with the food, drink and agriculture industries just behind on 62% and financial and professional services some way back on 41%.
Sandy Begbie CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), said:
“Last year SFE launched its five-year strategy establishing a range of proposals to drive collaboration across the industry and with both the Scottish and UK Governments. I therefore welcome this poll as it endorses our approach in highlighting the need for effective collaboration in several areas.
“It is hugely encouraging the vast majority of people consider our industry as important to the future success of Scotland’s economy but there remains work to do in order to articulate our role in supporting the growth of other sectors.
“There is also a clear appetite amongst the public for both the Scottish and UK Governments to work more closely to help businesses and communities as part of wider economic recovery efforts which is something SFE has consistently called for since the onset of the pandemic.
“The necessity of collaboration is further evidenced by the lack of awareness of efforts to accelerate energy transition. We must turn this weakness in to an opportunity and SFE will actively encourage both industry and government to align behind a strategy to ensure that Scotland becomes a global leader in both the delivery and financing of the race to net zero.”