THE fierce debate over an independent Scotland in the run-up to the 2014 referendum has boosted the country's brand image, according to a leading banker.
Philip Grant, of Lloyds Banking Group, told MSPs that far from the uncertainty surrounding the constitution harming the economy, the issue could boost the country's profile and performance internationally.
The Scot, who chairs the banking group's Scottish executive committee, told Holyrood's Finance Committee that the independence debate had made global markets more aware of "the brand of Scotland".
Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "I welcome all contributions to the debate on our nation's future – Scotland needs the full economic and financial powers of independence so that we can boost the economy and jobs.
"Scotland's GDP per head of population is 15% higher than the UK's – which is why an independent Scotland would be the sixth-richest nation in the developed world in terms of GDP per head, compared to the UK's 16th place.
Mr Grant told the committee that the constitutional debate was an issue not for Lloyds but for the "politicians and people of Scotland" – but he said he was taking "every opportunity to promote Scotland and its capability".
Bucking the often-made claim from the business community that the independence debate was causing risk and uncertainty for investors, he insisted "there is maybe some advantage" in the independence debate as "there are parts of the world where people are getting interested in Scotland again".
Mr Grant said: "Scotland has great strengths, great national opportunities and great talent and strength in its universities sector.
"For people to be more aware of the brand of Scotland and the capability that we have, and the opportunities, I think, is no bad thing in a global market.
"The definition as a region, or nation, or country, or economy, is in many ways, for businesses and for people looking for jobs, irrelevant. It's about 'is there investment here?' and 'are markets opening up for us?'"
Mr Grant admitted that as a Scot living in England and educating his children there, he "shared a real concern about whether there is going to be any real opportunity for them in a prosperous and thriving Scotland."
He added: "Scotland has huge potential in very particular areas that have real global opportunities, but sitting alongside them there is data that brings our challenges into stark relief.
"The OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] ranks us in the third and fourth quartile for innovation, for entrepreneurial activity and for investment as a percentage of GDP.
"We are 267th out of 349 European regions in terms of density of business per 1000 of population. You could be very pessimistic about these indicators, but the definition of an optimist is someone that sees an opportunity in every difficulty and challenge. I'm an optimist."
Mr Swinney said: "We are working tirelessly to strengthen Scotland's economic links in overseas markets, and our record of attracting inward investment reflects this."
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