Leading economic and policy advisers to the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee are gathering in Inverness tomorrow (Wednesday 2 February) to discuss the performance of the country's different regional economies.

The establishment of the Scottish Parliament has led to a growing interest in regional strengths and weaknesses and the conference will consider their causes and their implications for policy makers in a range of fields, from economic and social development to training provision and transportation.

The conference is being hosted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Regional Studies Association (RSA). It will be held in The Green House, on Inverness' Beechwood Business Park.

Speakers include Professor Mike Danson of Paisley University, who is an advisor to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee and chairman of the Scottish branch of the RSA. He will highlight some of the variations in economic performance across Scotland. He said: "The RSA believe it is important that the Parliament in Holyrood, together with agencies and organisations across the country, addresses economic and social disparities and promotes a cohesive, inclusive and yet diverse community.
Our work for the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee has shown how rich the infrastructure and partnerships are in Scotland, especially in the Highlands and Islands.

"As well as heightening awareness of these issues at today's (Wednesday 2 February) conference we will be publishing a book later in the year and holding further meetings at other venues across Scotland."

Other speakers will consider the issues and challenges facing individual areas.

Head of Economics at HIE Dr Stuart Black will outline the situation in the Highlands and Islands.
He said: "At this important time for economic development in Scotland it is very beneficial to host this debate in Inverness, as HIE has a number of approaches which are of interest, and potential benefit to other areas. We are also keen to maximise our own knowledge and these discussions will try to identify some elements of general best practice."

In recent years the Highlands and Islands economy has diversified away from an over-dependence on traditional industries, attracting inward investment in high-tech activities such as bio-medical research and development, pharmaceuticals and call centres. This success has helped balance difficulties facing the region's primary industries such as fishing and agriculture and the short-term downturn in the oil fabrication sector.

These discussions will also be used to inform the members of the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, who are currently conducting a review of economic development services.