The new SNP leader believes hi-tech industry will take Scotland forward

Mr Salmond lamented the current slow Scottish growth, which stands at 1.7%.

But he said with renewed confidence in the burgeoning hi-tech industries and small businesses the country could catch up with the 2.3% figure.

He said the hi-tech sector, which employs 20,000 people, is the way to succeed on the world stage.

'World-class reputation'

The MP for Banff and Buchan said the Scottish Executive has failed to deliver economic strategies to pull Scotland out of economic troubles, prompted by an ageing population and failing businesses.

He said: "Given Scotland's world-class reputation of invention and ingenuity there is every reason to think that tomorrow's hi-tech giant is currently operating out of a small office in Inverness or Pollokshields.

"The Department of Trade and Industry's latest State of the Regions report showed Scotland had the highest academic qualifications in the UK but we also had the lowest business survival rate.

"There can only be one of two reasons for this: either Scotland is destined to under-perform or the government hasn't created the right conditions for Scotland to perform. I believe it's the latter."

'Poverty of ambition'

Mr Salmond added that too many people in power had a "poverty of ambition for Scotland" and called for ministers to boost business confidence.

But for the hi-tech sector, as well as other critical sectors from finance to bio-sciences, to succeed he said Scotland must be more competitive.

He said the government needs to keep investing in education and young people and develop a better tax structure to attract big companies to Scotland and nurture start-ups.