HIE network strategy

A smart, successful Highlands and Islands

The refreshed version of the Scottish Executive's 'A Smart, Successful Scotland' was launched in November 2004. The document carries 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 builds on the Framework for Economic Development in Scotland (FEDS), the Scottish Executive's economic development strategy. How the enterprise strategy will be implemented in the north-west half of Scotland is 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 is 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 lies 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.

HIE's strategy is downloadable here.