Alex Salmond has used his new-year message to appeal to Scots to show a “spirit of optimism” that would help to pull the country through the difficult economic times ahead in 2009.

The First Minister, in a clear reference to the SNP’s core policy of independence, also expressed the hope that the same optimistic spirit would lead to Scotland “taking its rightful place in the world” as well as boost the Homecoming 2009 initiative by encouraging expatriate Scots to return.

Mr Salmond said that the Homecoming – with its 300-plus events across the country – would help Scotland turn a threatened tourism downturn into a visitor boom.

However, the impact of the First Minister’s message was somewhat blunted by Scotland’s leading business organisation, CBI Scotland, which said in its new year message that Mr Salmond’s government at Holyrood offered only a “skin deep” support for the country’s business sector.

Mr Salmond’s message was recorded at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, which is hosting the Paths of Robert Burns exhibition until February, before it is taken on tour to venues throughout Scotland for the rest of 2009.

While the Homecoming initiative has been sparked by next month’s 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns, Scotland’s national poet, it has mushroomed into an all-Scotland promotion of all things Scottish and aimed at expatriate Scots.

Mr Salmond, speaking as he viewed the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne in the National Library, said that the song was a masterpiece that was sung by hundreds of millions of people around the world to welcome each and every new year.

He added: “For many people, 2009 will be an enormous challenge, with the full impact of the economic downturn starting to bite. At times like this, therefore, it is even more important that we pull together as a nation.

The economic storm clouds are gathering. But I know that we will weather this storm – and emerge even stronger, and well placed to prosper.

“We need to ensure Scotland becomes a more successful country, mitigating the downturn and leading the recovery.

“Homecoming is a chance for Scotland’s international family, and all who feel an affinity for our nation, to come back and reconnect with our heritage while also learning what being a citizen in Scotland in the 21st century actually means.

“I believe there is a spirit of optimism abroad that will pull us through the hard times, that will see Scotland take her rightful place in the world.”

However, Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland, presented a different perspective, saying that while business and industry welcomed a number of measures from the Nationalist government at Holyrood, there were others that ministers should ditch.

Mr McMillan said that the proposed local income tax, to replace council tax in Scotland, could turn businesses away from the country, and the SNP’s decision to rule out new nuclear power stations north of the border could put Scotland’s future as an energy exporter at risk.

Mr McMillan said: “The Scottish Government holds the key levers of power to deliver Scotland’s long term economic success and, thus far, has put in place some welcome measures for business and the economy.

“Business is looking favourably on those policies that will improve the performance of the Scottish economy over time – transport, planning, education, skills, business rates and regulation.

“But the Scottish government’s support for business often appears to be only skin deep and ministers need to do much more in 2009 than they have to date to develop our economy for the long term and improve Scotland’s reputation in the rest of the UK and internationally as an attractive place in which to do business.”

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