1. Introduction
Glasgow and Edinburgh are key drivers of the Scottish economy.
Scotland’s two largest cities already make a disproportionate contribution to national wealth creation (1) and are of such national economic significance that their continued economic success is vital to Scotland’s future prospects. In an increasingly competitive international environment, collaboration between Glasgow and Edinburgh can provide a new platform for long-term and sustainable economic growth. Both cities already out-perform most UK rivals but, by working together, have the potential to move themselves and Scotland up the European league. Many of Scotland’s ambitions – increased economic growth, productivity, and employment, talent attraction, closing the opportunity gap and meeting sustainability targets – require that Glasgow and Edinburgh succeed. Thus, the aim of collaborating to compete is simple: to assist Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland’s greatest economic assets, to further success, thereby helping Scotland achieve its ambitions.
This Prospectus sets out an initial programme for city collaboration. It is inspired by the need to best utilise Glasgow and Edinburgh’s combined assets, and to present them in such a way as to create the best prospects for attracting and retaining investment and people. The Prospectus comprises a mix of early actions alongside longer-term projects that will require sustained effort over many years…
… and it is just a beginning.
1 31% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with only 20% of population, BAK Basel Economics, 2005
