Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) has revealed its year-end results, following the release of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Network's annual results last week.

WIE has achieved progress in all of the Network's themes of Strengthening Communities, Developing Skills, Making Global Connections and Growing Businesses.

Particular highlights include commitment to the development of the Arnish yard into a multi-million pound, multi-activity industrial estate and the securing of Cambrian Engineering - manufacturers of wind turbines for the offshore market - as anchor tenants.  WIE also invested significantly in the upgrade of tourist accommodation in the area; was successful in attracting a London-based IT firm to Lewis and was instrumental in bringing forward the Action 35 initiative which aims to address the future of crofting in the islands.

During the year 2002-03, WIE helped create 60 new businesses through the HIE-Starts programme and supported the creation or retention of more than 326 jobs in new and existing businesses.  The development agency also assisted 30 businesses to develop their e-commerce activity and several Western Isles businesses received support to engage in research and innovation projects.

The number of businesses in the Western Isles achieving Investors in People (IiP) status - a national standard designed to help improve businesses competitiveness by developing staff skills and motivation - rose this year with 45 organisations receiving the IiP plaque for the first time or achieving re-recognition.

Developing skills continues to be a priority for WIE with Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships continuing to perform well.  A total of 60 Vocational Qualifications were achieved through the Skillseekers and Training for Work Programmes and a total of 194 young people in the Islands are involved in Modern Apprenticeships.

WIE achieved particular success in its Strengthening Communities remit. The development agency supported the enhancement of 49 community facilities, almost doubling last year's efforts. WIE acknowledges the importance of a strong social infrastructure through its support for projects as diverse as equipment for Barra Pre-school through to the development of a new Arts Centre in Stornoway. The development agency also helped to create over 36 new jobs in community businesses and supported 20 cultural or arts events throughout the Western Isles.

Chief executive of WIE, Donnie Macaulay said: "The continued expansion of WIE's property portfolio has created a variety of developments and afforded new economic opportunities, from Shawbost and Arnish in Lewis, through to Daliburgh in South Uist.  We welcome the increasing number of new businesses and the growth and expansion we have assisted existing firms with.

"The value of the social economy in the Western Isles was reiterated through the high level of job creation in this sector. In addition partnership working has allowed us to bring forward activities through LEADER +, the Local Economic Forum, and the Connected Communities initiative."

He added "We look forward in the coming year, to initiating research and economic assessment into issues as disparate as population and transport, and to realising employment creating opportunities and community growth islands wide."