Earlier this week the CEOs of the four Highland Chambers of Commerce met with Charandeep Singh, CEO of Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) along with their Policy and Communications Manager, Scott Wilson .
As guests at our Highland Business Dinner will be aware, Charandeep only took up his post earlier in the year but progress so far has been swift.
The top priority going into this year’s election was reform of Non Domestic Rates and the Scottish Government have now set up a review which includes Scottish Chambers. We will continue to push for full scale reform of this tax which has become increasingly unfit for purpose over the last few years.
International work will remain a major focus for SCC. We all know that one of the most effective ways to grow the economy is through increasing exports, and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver the International Trade Partnership (ITP2) programme continues to play a vital role in this. Through trade missions and international market opportunities, the programme is helping businesses across the Highlands and Islands region develop new export relationships and grow their presence in overseas markets.
We also had detailed conversations around Developing the Young Workforce, supply chains in the Highlands and regional air connections.
It was a great opportunity for Inverness, North Highland, West Highland and Cairngorm to come together and discuss the place of the Highlands within the Scottish national picture.
For more information or to raise any specific challenges, please email us at info@inverness-chamber.co.uk