First Minister Alex Salmond outlined his ambitions for a Celtic Lion economy to emerge in Scotland as he addressed the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations in New York today.
"Our nearest three neighbors - Norway, Iceland and Ireland - are respectively the first, second and fourth most prosperous countries in the world according to the UN Human Development Index. Ultimately, matching their growth rates, and the rates of other small EU nations, is paramount. It is these nations that are remarkably outperforming the U.K. Initially, though, matching the growth rate of the U.K. is the fist step. By growing as fast as the UK, Scotland's 10-year growth rate would reach 2.8 per cent, translating to an additional £9 billion to the economy.
"My message to the rest of the world is simple: Scotland is open for business and flourishing, an independent Scotland will be open for business and an even better place to do business. My hope for Scotland is that we will be honest about where we are and ambitious about where we can go. And, perhaps, as people now talk about the wonder of the Irish Celtic Tiger, within the next generation we can introduce the world to a new marvel - the Scottish Celtic Lion."
A simple goal for our Celtic Dragon Economy is to be one of the best places in the world to do business in. Control of business taxation in Wales by a Welsh Government can help create that environment.