ABOUT HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE
Mu Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd's nan Eilean
HIE is the economic and community development agency for an area covering more than half of Scotland’s land mass, stretching from Shetland in the north to the southern tip of Argyll and Arran, and including all of the country’s 94 inhabited islands.
In line with the Scottish Government’s priorities, HIE has a clear vision for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in every part of the Highlands and Islands. Our current priorities and planned activities can be found in our Operating Plan and the Board will be reviewing its three year strategy to align with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) and maximise the national impact of regional strengths such as the potential to grow our green and blue economies.
Many of the economic challenges that are being felt across the whole country at present are particularly acute in rural areas such as the Highlands and islands – not least the impacts of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the rising cost of living. In addition, essential services such as housing, transport and digital connectivity need to be accessible, affordable and reliable, particularly in our most rural and fragile communities.
HIE is playing a vital role in addressing all these issues, often in collaboration with government, local authorities and other agencies, including partnerships such as the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board and the Convention of the Highlands and Islands.
A key theme is the pursuit of place-based opportunities – recognising the role that natural and built capital and cultural assets such as Gaelic can play in growing and sustaining a strong region that contributes fully to the success of Scotland.
