SCOTLAND will be a "world leader" in entrepreneurship and innovation, the First Minister is expected to tell business leaders on Monday.
Humza Yousaf will also say that the country’s success in the push towards net zero will depend on its ability to innovate.
The FM will address the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Forum in Edinburgh.
READ MORE: Alister Jack accused of 'totally inaccurate' deposit return claim
In his speech, the First Minister is expected to tout the economic opportunities of a just transition, as well as announcing the publication of a new innovation strategy this week, which will express his ambition “to become one of the most innovative small countries in the world”.
The FM is expected to say: “The move to net zero is not simply an environmental necessity, but a massive economic opportunity.
“It is crucial to Scotland’s future prosperity – so we will work with businesses to make the transition a success. That success will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to innovate “Later this week, the Scottish Government will publish its innovation strategy, which sets out our ambition to become one of the most innovative small countries in the world.
“The strategy has been shaped by a steering group co-chaired by Sir Jim McDonald, of Strathclyde University, and it has been planned in very close collaboration with business and others.
“Innovation has already been an important focus for government investment in recent years.
“In the last decade, we’ve set up seven innovation centres in areas such as biotechnology and data.
“We’ve established new bodies such as the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.
READ MORE: Back Off Scotland 'strongly' believe buffer zones bill will pass legal challenge
“And we’ve positioned Scotland as a testing ground for new net zero technologies – including hydrogen transport and floating wind power.”
The First Minister will also compare Scotland’s ability to use innovation to drive economic growth with other small countries such as Denmark, Norway and Finland, claiming these nations are better than Scotland in this regard currently.
He will add: “The innovation strategy will outline how we intend to emulate those countries – including by developing clusters in areas where we already have a competitive advantage – such as net zero, advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, and data and digital technology.
“The innovation strategy will, I hope, lead to a lasting improvement in Scotland’s economic performance, and signal that Scotland is determined to become a world leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel