Iain Hamilton: Creativity driving economic growth in the north
Creative industries support 5,500 jobs and contribute £740 million to the Highlands and Islands' economy.
The Highlands and Islands is well-known for its rich culture and heritage.
A mix of traditional crafts, cultural knowledge and skills, and cutting-edge technology has created a unique landscape for the creative industries.
Spanning 16 sub-sectors, ranging from art to artificial intelligence, this diverse landscape covers a mosaic of business models, commercial enterprises and community-driven organisations.
These are spread across the length and breadth of the Highlands and Islands.
Not only a cultural hub, the region is economically and socially harnessing the power and potential of creative industries that support 5,500 jobs and contribute £740 million to the local economy.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) recognises their significance and the need for specialised support tailored to the diverse array of organisations and ambitions present.
XpoNorth was created to be a mechanism to provide support from industry specialists, fostering new partnerships and collaborations to propel local talent onto global stages.
Our XpoNorth Digital programme is very much focused on digital adoption and its transformative potential for small and micro businesses in the region.
This innovation is key to empowering businesses to develop new products and services, while also expanding their reach into global markets.
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