Scottish Government to publish plans to attract investment in Covid wake

A new strategy to attract inward investment to Scotland is due to be published on Tuesday, with the Scottish Government claiming it will create tens of thousands of new jobs.

A shopper wearing a face mask visits a retail outlet in Glasgow. A plan is due to be published today on attracting inward investment to Scotland in areas including retail. Picture: John Devlin

Trade minister Ivan McKee will set out the plan to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

He said it will play an important part in driving Scotland's economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr McKee said: "Scotland has been the UK's top destination for inward investment outside London for the past seven years.

"Inward investors already complement our existing industrial base, providing 34 per cent of our jobs and 77 per cent of our exports, but we can do better.

"The new strategic approach I am announcing today will build on our strengths, create tens of thousands of jobs and spread the benefits of inward investment more evenly across the country."

He added: "It aims to create high-value, skilled jobs in growing sectors and attract businesses that share our progressive, outward-looking values.

"With global economies still being impacted by coronavirus, and the end of the Brexit transition period looming, this plan is designed play an important part in driving Scotland's economic recovery."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has meanwhile said there will be "no immediate change" in many areas of Scotland when a five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions begins next week.

Pubs and restaurants are closed across the Central Belt as a result of measures introduced earlier this month, while a 6pm indoor curfew applies on hospitality elsewhere.

It comes despite signs the current restrictions are having an effect and the increase in positive cases is slowing.