A 10-year economic strategy has been set out by the council, aiming to increase jobs and improve opportunities for young Borderers.
The draft paper was approved by members last week and will give the council and partners a focus for their efforts over the next decade.
Councillor Stuart Bell, executive member for economic development, said: “Scottish Borders Council has put economic development at the heart of the council’s purpose.
“This document sets out the council’s, and it partners’, vision for a prosperous economy in the Scottish Borders and our strategic approach to the development of the economy .
“In doing this we are being ambitious for the Borders,” he added.
Mr Bell said: “The vision for the Scottish Borders economy is that by 2023 we will be amongst the best and most productive rural economies in Scotland.”
He added that delivery of the strategy would be achieved by ‘continuing collaboration and commitment with key partners’.
The strategy states that the arrival of the railway will have a ‘catalytic effect’ on creating a shift from the reliance on public sector jobs in the Borders.
It also reveals an aim to increase business links with Heriot-Watt University and Borders College around the Borders campus.
The opportunities provided by niche manufacturing – particularly textiles – tourism, farming and food and drink are also highlighted in the report.
An action plan produced along with the strategy also sets out plans to develop a Central Borders Business Park by June 2015, the creation of a seafood technology park in Eyemouth, and provide a Scottish Borders Guarantee, with apprenticeships, internships and graduate placements in the area for young people.
Mr Bell added: “We want to make significant changes, in particular, opening up opportunities for younger people.”
However, councillors were warned that limits on future public spending could place constraints on the delivery of the action plan.