A new study on the economy of the South of Scotland lays bare the scale of the challenge facing the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency, according to local MSP Colin Smyth.

The report published today (2 July 2019) ‘Business-led Inclusive Job Growth in the South of Scotland’ is produced by The Good Economy in partnership with the Ethical Finance Hub. The report says the region’s economy is at a ‘watershed moment’ and proposes a number of recommendations including better transport links, a strategy to attract young workers and families to the area, better tourism promotion, and an overhaul of town centres.

The study highlights the fact that growing the private sector is particularly challenging because of the rural geography of the area. Commenting on the report South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said, “The findings of this study won’t come as surprise to anyone who lives in our region. It does lays bare the scale of the challenge facing the new Enterprise Agency and the enormous work that is needed to turn around the economy of the South of Scotland. However, I believe there is a real determination to deliver the change needed in our all too often forgotten region. We saw that with the campaign itself to deliver the new Agency and the Borderlands Growth Deal. We now need to ensure both those initiatives deliver for the people of the South of Scotland.”