The new organisation intends to stimulate innovation and
partnerships, support internationalisation, increase investment in
the information and creative industries, and to work in partnership
with government bodies and academia to create and retain key
skills.
Already more than 500 companies, including BT, IBM, Microsoft,
ntl, Real Time Engineering, Thus, Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of
Scotland and Scottish Power, are members of the new organisation.
As well as international companies, hundreds of Scottish-based
companies such as Black Multimedia, Cedalion, Crocodile Clips,
Digital Animations, KSCL, Newell & Budge, NSL (Internet),
Orbital, Realise and Spektra Systems are also represented in the
sector which is estimated to employ up to 70,000.
Henry McLeish, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning,
said:
"The launch of ScotlandIS is a welcome
development in assisting our growing software, interactive media
and internet industries. Scotland has a key role to play in the
knowledge revolution."
Chief Executive Frank Binnie said:
"We will provide a knowledge pool for
members, a source of information on our industry, a source of
business leads and opportunities, a networking forum and a showcase
for our members' capabilities and talents.
"We are on the threshold of a new knowledge
revolution. We want to ensure Scotland is not merely an onlooker
but an active participant."
