Press Release
24th February 2000
Inverclyde Must Log-On to E-Commerce
Inverclyde’s businesses must start to see e-commerce as key to the future success of the economy or risk losing out in an increasingly competitive marketplace, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said today.
He made his comments following the launch by Enterprise Minister, Henry McLeish, of a Scottish Enterprise action plan to promote increased use of e-commerce by businesses.
"Using new technology to improve business competitiveness in world markets is not a threat but a huge opportunity." He said.
The plan is the first phase of an e-commerce strategy for Scotland. (E-Commerce is any business exchange or process conducted electronically using telecommunications networks.)
The plan outlines two main areas for action:
Mr McNeil continued:
"Forty per cent of Canadian companies use websites as opposed to 22 per cent in Scotland. Seven per cent of Scottish companies, as measured by the proportion of the workforce employed, are selling online versus 16 per cent in Canada. Twenty-four per cent are buying online against 35 per cent in Canada.
"Of the 120 exporters in Renfrewshire, only 1/3 do business on the Internet and of these only 2 have a multilingual facility.
"These figures bear out the enormous leap we must take quickly in Scotland if we are to compete effectively on the world market. Already our competitors are racing ahead in reaping the benefits e-commerce can provide.
"I want to make Scotland an e-commerce hub for Europe. The Scottish Executive is determined to be at the front line of the UK drive to be ‘e-committed'.
"But strong words will not make this happen. It is down to Scottish businesses to take control of their own economic future and embrace the e-commerce revolution. This must be done if we are to make the Scottish economy a success story.
"E-commerce is not just about big business. It touches every small business and organisation in Scotland, whether your business is microchips or pie and chips. Size and financial clout does not restrict access to the enormous benefit e-commerce can provide.
"Scottish Enterprise and private partners, have developed this action plan, ‘Connecting Scotland', which is the first step in a national e-commerce strategy.
"I also welcome the announcement of the creation of the post of e-commerce director at Scottish Enterprise. This high-profile role is another sign of the major focus being placed on supporting our businesses as they join the e-commerce revolution.
"One of the delivery mechanisms for the measures included in the plan will be the Scottish Information Society Initiative Centre network. This government funded network of 12 centres, based mainly in local enterprise companies, provides independent advice and support for businesses on the commercial use of e-commerce.
"Scotland's businesses must not see e-commerce as a threat but as a major opportunity to capture new markets and wipe out problems of geographical location.
"The ‘Connecting Scotland' Action Plan is the first step in our strategy to help bring Scotland on board the e-commerce express. If we do not embrace this opportunity we will be left well and truly behind. I want to move forward quickly with effective government support. The whole strategy will be in place within the next few months."
ENDS
Notes:
1. ‘Connecting Scotland' - An Action Plan for e-commerce has been developed by Scottish Enterprise in consultation with, and the active participation, of a large number of industry, education and public sector.
2. The Action Plan is intended to prioritise action on the short term on enabling Small and Medium sized Enterprises to increase their uptake of e-commerce.
3. "Connecting Scotland: The First Wave" can be found on the Scottish Enterprise E-commerce team website at: http://www.ecommerce-scotland.org Any enquiries about the plan, should be directed to the ISI Infoline on 0345 15 2000. The Infoline will refer callers to their local ISI Centre.
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