25 August 2025
MSPs from the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee are to visit Renfrewshire’s advanced manufacturing and innovation district on Tuesday (26 August).
The fact-finding visit will focus on economic growth and how best to respond to Scotland’s long-term fiscal pressures.
Learning from the visit will help inform the committee’s scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Budget later this year.
In particular, the MSPs are examining ways in which to:
Speaking ahead of the visit to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), committee convener Kenneth Gibson said:
“The focus of our pre-budget scrutiny this year is very much on how the Scottish Government plans to start responding to long-term fiscal pressures in the here and now. It is hugely important given the significant issues that lie ahead for Scotland over the next 50 years.
“Visiting AMIDS in Renfrewshire will give us the chance to learn more about high value manufacturing and advanced manufacturing capability, and what potential it holds for Scotland’s economy if we can boost high worth sectors such as this.
“We also want to hear first-hand from industry experts what more can be done to attract and retain high value enterprise, and what support is needed from government and the public sector more widely.
“With Scotland facing serious long-term fiscal pressure, it’s vital that we support growth in key sectors to boost economic performance and tax revenues.”
AMIDS is a collaborative project between Renfrewshire Council and Buccleuch Property which seeks to drive technological advancement, accelerate innovation and deliver economic growth.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said, “AMIDS is one of the most significant developments in Renfrewshire’s recent history as it will bring high-quality jobs, world-leading industry and academia, and provide a significant boost to the local and national economy. It’s encouraging to have the Finance Committee visit as part of their learning process as it recognises the importance of AMIDS as a vehicle for economic growth now and in the future.”
The Committee will visit the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire on Tuesday 26 August.
The visit will include a presentation and discussion, followed by tours of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the CPI’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, both at the AMIDS site.
AMIDS website says it is “Scotland’s home of advanced manufacturing and innovation and provides a positive environment which delivers a major boost to Scotland’s manufacturing and Life Sciences sectors”.
AMIDS is a collaborative project between Renfrewshire Council and Buccleuch Property which seeks to drive technological advancement, accelerate innovation and deliver economic growth. Its aim is to establish “a world-class high value manufacturing cluster within a campus environment”.
AMIDS has on-site innovation centres where it is “building on the success of existing academic and research partnerships”. Its aspiration is to “establish knowledge and skills clusters” covering key sectors.
Eric MacLeod
You can also follow the Scottish Parliament on X @scotparl.
Like us on Facebook for updates on news and events.