The search is on to find a Scottish location to compete for the title of UK Capital of Enterprise 2005.

The new competition was launched by Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and nominations are now being accepted from enterprising cities, towns or areas around Britain.

Jim Wallace, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, said “"I know from travelling throughout Scotland that we have plenty of enterprising people. They are not just in boardrooms. You are just as likely to come across enterprise and innovation in our classrooms, offices, factory floors or universities. We need to do all we can to encourage this enterprise and to celebrate success where it occurs. I hope this competition will help us do that.”

In Scotland, the competition is being run by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Sandy Cumming, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: “One of the really positive aspects of this competition is that the search is not just aimed at our large cities and towns – any area in the UK, can take part in, and have the chance of winning, this competition. This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the initiatives devised and implemented over recent years by smaller communities that are exemplars of enterprise.”

Chancellor Gordon Brown is convinced that the search will unearth centres of enterprise excellence along the length and breadth of Scotland.

He said: “Throughout the world, Scotland is recognised as a country of enterprise fuelled by innovation and driven by hard working Scots with entrepreneurial spirit. I really look forward to meeting Scotland’s bid team at the national finals and wish Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise every success in the particularly daunting task of selecting a representative from among the inevitably high standard of entries that they will have to judge.”

Further information on the competition can be downloaded from the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise websites or by contacting Dennis Oxby by e-mail at dennis.oxby@scotent.co.uk

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See competition brochure in the what's new? section of this site.