The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Nothing to stop Tay Cities Deal from being a success
GROWTH: Top businessman says deal needed as a signal of intent for the next phase of region’s development
Leading Dundee businessman Chris van der Kuyl says the Tay Cities Deal (TCD) heralds the next chapter for the region.
But he has also warned it could turn out to be a “damp squib” that misfires just as the area is about to launch itself onto the world stage with the opening of the V&A museum in Dundee.
Mr van der Kuyl, whose posts include chairman of Entrepreneurial Scotland, said: “This deal needs to signal our intent for the next phase of growth.
“An intent to solidify Dundee and the surrounding area as economically vibrant, the place to start and grow globally-ambitious businesses, a region that has confidence in its future as part of a highly-competitive world and a place bustling with life and culture that the world wants to visit.
“I believe that, with the right balance of risk, ambition and great infrastructure, there is nothing to stop the Tay cities region from being a huge success and this deal should be just the catalyst we need to achieve our goals.
“Anything less will be a missed opportunity.”
Vicki Unite, chief executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, said the potential benefits of the TCD are many and include the ability to allow stronger collaboration for all of the partners and the private business sector, igniting more work that will strengthen the economy.
She added: “Ideally, it can create jobs, increase productivity and aim to increase wage levels.”
“The key message is that the TCD is one part of the bigger picture.
“The TCD document is in two parts – the first part outlines the regional economic strategy for the next 20 years and the second is the TCD and list of proposed projects.
“The Tay Cities Joint Committee – comprised of the leaders and other councillors from each local authority area, as well as representation from Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland plus the voluntary and private sectors – will be there to drive forward the regional economic strategy.
“There are a number of ways that will be done, and TCD is one.
“In time, there may be further city deals, industry deals, or largescale investment projects (similar to Dundee waterfront) that the partners will deliver together, with the Tay Cities Joint Committee being the driving body for that.
“It is unique to this region to have private sector representation on that committee – it’s never been done before and demonstrates how open the Tay Cities work is.
“So, we are all thinking long term.
“Ultimately, it is a strong message of working together in partnership to do more than we can each achieve on our own.”
Alison Henderson, chief executive of Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, said the economic future of the region depends on many things, from private-sector-driven growth to public-sector interventions like TCD.
She added: “A key challenge for the private sector is to grow while taking advantage of the wider economic opportunities that exist at a local, national and international level. In order to deliver growth in a business, a number of factors are critical - having a skilled, motivated workforce, access to finance, access to markets and the knowledge to develop and grow.
“The right conditions must exist to enable a business to thrive, such as digital infrastructure and good transport connectivity.”