Business leaders gather for 'Business in the Parliament'
083/2005 | 9 September 2005
Nosheena Mobarik speaking in the Parliament's Chamber. More pictures. |
Business minds from across Scotland are meeting at Holyrood today to discuss the greatest challenges facing the business sector.
The conference, run jointly with the Scottish Executive, has been organised to build closer links between MSPs and Scotland’s business community.
The morning’s opening session, The Challenges of Running a Business in Scotland, got the conference off to a lively start through its four speakers:
• Janette Anderson, Chief Executive of railway supplies firm First Engineering, who discussed growth targets;
• Nosheena Mobarik, Business Development Director, M Computer Technologies, who discussed links with overseas industries;
• Ian Graham, Chairman and Chief Executive of Graham Technology, who discussed public procurement challenges;
• Chris Gorman, entrepreneur, who discussed Scotland’s accessibility and growth potential within the increased European Union.
During his contribution, Mr Gorman praised the conference for offering a platform to the business community.
He said: "This is a great event. I can think of no other country where a meeting like this takes place, where members of the business community have a chance to say what we think to politicians."
Welcoming delegates to the Scottish Parliament today, Deputy Presiding Officer Murray Tosh said:
"This is the second time we have hosted this event and already it has become a major opportunity for MSPs to exchange with business people.
"Around 100 MSPs have invited a speaker or guest from their community to this conference today, which will build bridges between politicians and local business people."
First Minister Jack McConnell also welcomed the delegates, and praised the open dialogue between politicians and the business community.
Conference delegates |
Now in its second year, the event has drawn together more than 200 business men and women from different communities and sectors around Scotland.
The main theme of the conference is "business growth", currently being examined as part of an Enterprise and Culture Committee Inquiry. Delegates will participate in a series of debates and discussion groups focusing on a range of issues, such as promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, the problems with growing a business, tackling the skills shortage, the infrastructure debate, the regulatory challenge and encouraging more international trade by Scottish firms.
The conference will close after an open debate in Holyrood’s Debating Chamber and a speech from world-renowned business strategist Kevin Sneader, director and senior partner of American-based McKinsey and Company.
The conference was opened on Thursday night by Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of the Royal Mail, and Willie Haughey, Chief Executive of City Holdings UK.
After being welcomed to Holyrood by the Parliament’s Presiding Officer George Reid, they shared their thoughts on a wide range of business issues, with business correspondent Alf Young from the Herald newspaper acting as host for the discussion.
The Parliament's media contact is:
Sally Coyne Tel: 0131 348 6269
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk
|
back to top