HIE network strategy to November 2007

The refreshed version of the Scottish Government's (then Scottish Executive's) 'A Smart, Successful Scotland' was launched in November 2004. The document carried forward the strategic objectives of the national enterprise strategy, together with its two cross-cutting themes of sustainable development and closing the opportunity gap.

It also built on the Framework for Economic Development in Scotland (FEDS), the Scottish Government's then economic development strategy. How the enterprise strategy would be be implemented in the north-west half of Scotland was set out in A Smart, Succesful Highlands and Islands.

Our aim is to enable people living in the Highlands and Islands to realise their full potential on a long-term sustainable basis.

The aim was founded on the belief that the people who live here have the prospect of enjoying one of the most fulfilling existences in the developed world. The concept of sustainable development lay at the heart of this approach. Enabling people to realise their full potential is about utilising our resources wisely in a way that assists current residents to improve their lives, without constraining the ability of future Highlands and Islands residents to make their own improvements from an enriched, rather than depleted, resource-base.

To ensure our refreshed strategy would be as wide reaching and inclusive as possible, we undertook an extensive consultation process. Link to research findings summary.

Downloadable versions of HIE's pre-November 2007strategy are available here (*above right) - in both English and Gaelic language.