Finance Secretary John Swinney welcomed new figures which show Scotland – for the second consecutive year – was the top performing location in the UK for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Ernst & Young’s latest UK Attractiveness Survey reports almost 6,000 positions were created in Scotland during 2011 – a 50 per cent increase on the previous year making it once again the UK’s leading location for FDI job creation. The survey compares jobs created across the 12 nations and regions of the UK.
Mr Swinney said the survey’s results were testament to Scotland’s attractiveness to foreign investors and the approach of the Government’s Economic Strategy, which encourages the public sector to work collaboratively with the private sector to accelerate economic growth and create jobs.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:
“This new report demonstrates that actions of the Scottish Government and our enterprise agencies are delivering new investment and jobs to Scotland in tough times.
“The latest Ernst & Young UK Attractiveness survey shows that Scotland – for the second consecutive year – was the top performing location in the UK for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with almost 6,000 jobs created in 2011 – a 50 per cent increase on the previous year.
“Scotland works hard to attract international investment demonstrated by the large number of major multinational firms – such as GlaxoSmithKline, Aker Solutions, Amazon, Samsung, Mitsubishi and others – who have all recently invested in Scotland. This Government and our enterprise agencies work closely with business and industry to ensure the country continues to be a competitive hotbed of ideas and the most competitive environment to do business in the UK.
“This survey shows that there are positive indications in the Scottish economy, but this Government recognises that further action must be taken to ensure everyone in Scotland has an opportunity to contribute to the country’s economic success.
“With the full economic and financial powers of independence we could do even more to raise Scotland’s competitiveness and drive forward economic recovery.”