Rapid resolution of constitutional uncertainty, plus practical measures to help reach the Scottish Government's 30% manufacturing growth target, are essential to "repairing the damage to confidence" from the long independence referendum campaign, the leader of Scotland's engineers has said.

Bryan Buchan, chief executive of Scottish Engineering, which represents 400 firms, was speaking after a joint statement by Scotland's business leaders about the way forward after the referendum.

The six employer groups combined with some of the country's main industry bodies in a plea for business priorities to be identified in the ongoing debate on new powers for the Scottish Parliament.

Buchan told the Sunday Herald: "We need to repair the damage to confidence that the referendum has caused. The majority of our member businesses are glad it's over and they can get back to business. Everyone has found it a distraction."

He claimed that foreign-owned companies in Scotland had told him they had been "marking time" over the last two years rather than committing to further investment, and would need assurances before they did so.

"It goes beyond saying that we need stability, we now need to repair our position," he said.

"Time will be a great healer, but we do need to give the signals out that we are open for business and a good place to invest. We will have a stable economy and have access to the markets we currently serve, though the next big cloud is a possible referendum on [UK membership of] the European Union."

Scotland's leading business, industry and employer organisations last week issued a joint statement urging the Scottish and UK Governments to ensure any new devolution settlement was focused on economic growth.

In a joint statement, the 14 signatories - which include leaders of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, CBI Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and the Scottish Retailers Consortium - said: "Collectively, our membership covers every sector of the economy, corner of the country and size of business. With all eyes now on the future, we need to focus on how we can make Scotland the best place to live, work and, above all, do business.

"With the Scottish Parliament set to become a more powerful actor in our economy, the touchstones of the new devolution settlement must be boosting business and growth. Whatever settlement is now agreed is stable and sustainable, and seen to be so. We envisage playing a full, constructive part in making this happen - and that must include a discussion around how any extra powers should be used to make Scottish business more competitive."

The group also issued a veiled rebuke over turf wars and bureaucratic squabbles between UK and Scottish Government agencies, such as the alleged tension between export agencies Scottish Development International and UK Trade & Investment. The tension surfaced during the referendum campaign in the form of complaints from Yes supporters that British embassies discriminated against Scottish business, a claim later found to be untrue.

The statement said: "In some areas where responsibility is shared between both governments, such as exporting, there is now an ideal opportunity for both to put business and prosperity at the top of the priority list and work together to streamline and co-ordinate these services."

Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "Leadership from business must be recognised by the UK and Scottish Governments and, while there is a key role for politicians to play, real and lasting change can only come from the private sector, which is the primary driver of job creation.

"The Smith Commission can take immense knowledge from our experts when it comes to shaping Scotland's future powers.

"Understanding the changes in taxation that would help businesses grow is important, as is achieving a flexible mix of taxes which encourages a pro-business fiscal regime. A reduction in an existing tax, business rates, would alleviate some cost pressure, as this is among the highest costs for many businesses.

"In addition, taking control of Air Passenger Duty (APD) is crucial to enabling businesses to capitalise on Scotland's international exposure and to maximise the opportunities for business and tourist activity."

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "The Scottish Parliament is set to gain substantial additional taxation responsibilities over the next few years … retailers and other firms would be concerned if this expanding arsenal of taxes ended up being used in such a way as to make Scotland a more expensive and less attractive place to invest, live or visit."