The first Gaelic Plan for Scotland has been launched by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The scheme is to cover a three-year period from 2009-2012 and has been drafted in line with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.

HIE are to incorporate Gaelic prominently into the identity of the organisation featuring the language in its marketing, publications and website.

The HIE Gaelic Plan focuses on promoting the business benefits of Gaelic in growing the creative industries, promotion of goods and services, and in the tourism sector.

Sandy Cumming, HIE chief executive, said in a statement: "I'm delighted to announce the publication of the Gaelic Plan for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, 2009-2012.

"The level of ambition contained in the plan demonstrates HIE's commitment to the development and promotion of a bilingual Highlands and Islands treating Gaelic and English on a basis of equal respect.

"As the Highlands and Islands emerges from the effects of global recession, HIE will look to those unique elements of the region which provide us with a competitive advantage, whether they be our renewable energy resources or in this case our rich Gaelic cultural heritage and identity."

Arthur Cormack, chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, an organisation to promote Gaelic, said: "Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to have approved HIE's first Gaelic Plan.

"HIE has a long and distinguished track record of supporting Gaelic developments and this plan gives the organisation the clear opportunity to continue with such support, build on it, as well as to increase Gaelic's visibility and use within its own services.

"The services which HIE provides are vital to sustaining the Gaelic language and it has an important role, as do other public authorities, in helping to deliver the National Plan for Gaelic. Our joint aims and aspirations revolve around growth and sustainability, focussed on strengthening communities of all kinds.

"The business community has a crucial role to play in the development of the language also, and HIE is in a unique position to support the Bòrd's continuing aspirations in this respect."