By Bruce Fegen

AN AMBITIOUS vision for the development and growth of Fife’s economy over the next 10 years has been set out.

Growing Fife’s Future was launched by figures from the private and public sectors when they gathered in St Andrews for a conference to discuss the impact and opportunities for Fife with the growth of city regions.

Produced on behalf of the Fife Economic Forum, it offers a view of what the economy could look like in 2015 and sets out the steps that need to be taken to achieve the vision, with priority actions in five areas.

Developed jointly by the local authority’s development services and Scottish Enterprise Fife on behalf of the economic forum, the strategy identifies some key issues, such as:—

*The continuing shift from traditional manufacturing to a service-based economy.

*The impact of the growth of neighbouring economies, in particular Edinburgh.

*The proportion of Fife residents who, despite employment rising, are without work.

*Unemployment rates which, although at historically low levels, remain higher than the Scottish average.

Forum chairman Fred Bowden said, “We want to see Fife being recognised as a location of choice to live, learn, work and invest.

“Growing Fife’s Future offers a local solution to the challenges and opportunities facing the Fife economy.

“It reflects our local priorities and circumstances here in Fife and the impact of changes in the wider economy.

“Work has already started towards achieving the vision and creating a dynamic business base is one of the key areas for action.”

Already Business Gateway Fife is helping increase the number of business starts, and among the priorities for the future will be a focus on supporting businesses with growth potential and tailoring support programmes to encourage the development of key sectors.

Programmes such as Determined to Succeed, which have been introduced to Fife’s schools, will help promote a culture of enterprise.

Attracting and retaining business investment and talent will need the right business, transport and communications infrastructure.

Projects of national significance are under way including the Energy Park Fife at Methil, John Smith Business Park in Kirkcaldy and the development of Rosyth as a multi-modal transport hub and the Scottish gateway to Europe.

The strategy also focuses on developing skills and learning, investment in research and development to create a knowledge economy and working with key business sectors that offer growth potential.

Mr Bowden concluded, “Our vision is ambitious but we believe that it’s achievable by working with local agencies and businesses.

“The forum has developed a strong partnership over the past two years with the success of Business Gateway Fife and of developments such as those at the port of Rosyth.

“This gives us an excellent foundation on which we will build.”