Foreign firms boost Scottish economy

Leading the charge are companies in the life sciences, aerospace and manufacturing sectors, which have added 4,000 high-value jobs with salaries of £31,000-plus.

Almost half of the high-value-added jobs attracted to Scotland are in research, design and development, concentrated particularly in the life sciences, manufacturing and aerospace sectors

Alex Salmond

First Minister

Said Mr Salmond: "Almost half of the high-value-added jobs attracted to Scotland are in research, design and development, concentrated particularly in the life sciences, manufacturing and aerospace sectors. This sends a very clear message that we are succeeding in our goal to encourage and support innovation, a key element of our updated economic recovery programme, which plans to guide our economy through the recession and ensure Scotland recovers strongly.

He is supported by Scottish Development International (SDI), a collaboration between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

SDI boss Lena Wilson commented: "We are the only part of the UK to measure our success on the number of high-value jobs, and these are the jobs which are likely to have the greatest impact on Scotland's economy. This allows us to focus our efforts on where we can have the greatest impact, and create jobs that are truly embedded within Scotland's industries and the wider Scottish economy. I am delighted that this focus has really started to pay off.

The organisation gives equal weight to both boosting inward investment and helping 800-plus Scottish companies compete overseas.

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