Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network, has announced its year-end results for 2002/2003.

Highlights include the MBSE-led enterprise network investment of £8.5m in the multi-million pound redevelopment of the centre of Aviemore, including £600,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  This will help create more than 200 new jobs and establish a new 1,000 capacity conference centre, swimming pool and leisure facility, the upgrade of hotel accommodation and a hospitality training academy for the catering and tourism sector.

In Buckie, MBSE invested £1.5m in the upgrading of Buckie Shipyard, safeguarding more than 50 existing jobs and creating 20 new ones.  And £858,000 from MBSE, including £343,000 from the ERDF, was invested in the expansion of Highland Country Foods Ltd in Forres, creating ten new jobs.

Meanwhile MBSE announced plans for a £2.25m innovation and business incubation centre at the Enterprise Park in Forres, which has also secured £900,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  This facility will house research and development organisations and encourage new business start ups.  It should also help pave the way for higher quality, better paid jobs which the area needs.

After reporting the performance to the MBSE board of directors this week, chief executive, Douglas Yule, said:  "Last year was a challenging one for us, not least because a lot of effort was directed at modernising our own approach to how MBSE delivers its services to customers. It was also a year during which we saw some very encouraging results.  The number of new business starts is very impressive, and we have been able to assist many local companies in their ambitious plans to enter new markets.  It is also tremendous to see so many companies engaged in workforce development activities and so many of the workforce taking part in training initiatives, particularly modern apprenticeships."

Speaking about current and future priorities, Mr Yule added:  "We are determined to secure additional research and development activity in this area.  We also intend to become a focus for new companies involved in innovation and creativity.  We must work to encourage this by promoting the use of new technology in business; through our association with the new Sustainable Development Research Centre, our first tenant at the Innovation Centre, and by marketing the area to potential inward investors.

"Last year we also commissioned a study that assessed the economic and social impact of the RAF bases at Lossiemouth and Kinloss.  This highlighted a number of opportunities for further progress and our challenge now is to make the most of these for the people and businesses in Moray Badenoch and Strathspey."