The announcement that the eastern parts of the area covered by Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE) are to be administered under the umbrella of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in future, has been warmly welcomed by the HIE Network.

The move, announced by Deputy Minister for the Highlands and Islands, Alasdair Morrison MSP, takes effect on the first of April next year and will see the geographic spilt of MBSE between HIE and Scottish Enterprise removed.

This means that Elgin,Buckie and Keith and all the smaller communities of East Moray will now become part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area.

HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "This is good news for HIE, and the people of Moray. MBSE has achieved a great deal over the last ten years, working under the unique circumstance of a dual contract between ourselves and Scottish Enterprise. The Minister's announcement recognises that times have changed and that this re-structuring is the best way of bringing continued development to the whole area."

The change has also been welcomed by Dick Ruane, chief executive of MBSE, he said: "Since the beginning of the enterprise networks in 1991 we have been privileged to have been part of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. We have benefitted from adopting the best practice of both, which has helped us to achieve consistently good results for the people of Moray.

"The increasing emphasis on customer focus means we now need to streamline our operations to fit within one system and, given our location, the rural nature of much of the area and the large investment made in Moray by HIE, it is appropriate that we will now operate wholly within that framework. This is a very welcome announcement on the part of the Scottish Executive, and we look forward to the sharper strategic focus this move will bring, and offering a better service to our customers."