Publication - Minutes

National Economic Forum: May 2018

Published: 11 May 2018
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Part of: Economy
Date of meeting: 16 May 2018
Location: Crichton Campus, Dumfries

Programme for the 20th National Economic Forum, taking place on 16 May 2018.

Items and actions

20th National Economic Forum – 16 May 2018

The National Economic Forum is an event at which senior figures from across business, the third sector, trade unions, government and the wider public sector meet to debate how to grow Scotland's economy. Attendance is through invitation only.

The next National Economic Forum is scheduled to take place on the morning of Wednesday Easterbrook Hall, Crichton Campus, Dumfries. The theme for the day is ‘Driving Forward the Rural Economy’. See Programme:

Agenda for the day:

10:15 – 11:00 Registration
11:00 – 11:05 Mr Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business Innovation and Energy welcomes delegates and introduces the First Minister
11:05 – 11:20 First Minister Opening Address
11:20 – 11:40 Business keynote address – Lindsay McQuade, ScottishPower Renewables and Steve Dunlop, Scottish Canals
11:40 -12:15 Q&A Panel with First Minister, Lindsay McQuade, Steve Dunlop and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Mr Ewing MSP, facilitated by Mr Wheelhouse
12:15 – 13:00 Networking Lunch
13:00 – 14:25 Discussion groups – Chaired by Minister / facilitated by business leaders
- Creating a new Enterprise Agency for the South of Scotland
- National Council of Rural Advisers: ‘Changing the Rules of the Game’
- Developing the Young Workforce – Building a bridge between education and employers
- Energy supply chains
- Digital opportunities in rural economies
- Natural capital
- Sustainable tourism
14:30 - 14:35 Mr Ewing welcomes delegates back for afternoon session
14:35 – 14:45 Business keynote Alain Dupeyras, Head of the Regional Development and Tourism Division, OECD
14:45 – 15:20 Ministerial Q & A Panel facilitated by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Mr Ewing MSP
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Mr Swinney MSP
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Mr Brown MSP
- Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP
- Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP
15:20 – 15:30 Closing address from Deputy First Minister
15:30 NEF Close