Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 11 April 2000 For Use: Immediately

The Western Isles has retained its assisted area status under proposals announced yesterday by the Department of Trade and Industry. Although areas around Inverness and Nairn have been dropped, the Western Isles have been included in the attempt to target resources to those areas of Scotland most in need. The money available will go towards a range of projects designed to -

• Sustain and encourage businesses to grow.
• Create the right conditions for attracting inward investment and new jobs.
• Raise skill levels amongst new employees.

Commenting on the proposals, Convener, Councillor Alex MacDonald and Vice Convener, Roddy Murray said:

"Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomes these proposals and the recognition of the need to target resources on the most vulnerable areas. We have long recognised that achieving economic success depends not just on those areas where wealth creation is occurring, but on regenerating areas such as our own. This is a strategy which must underpin not only Government activity but also that of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Vice Convener and I have renewed our earlier invitation to the Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise to meet us, our MP and MSP and local businessmen to discuss how best the Western Isles can benefit from this and the Highlands and Islands Special Programme initiatives. The people of the islands, particularly our young people, have the ideas and entrepreneurial spirit to regenerate our economy. What is required is a commitment by the development agencies and the proper targeting of resources to allow these ideas to come to fruition".

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer