Scottish Business Briefing - Friday 22 June, 2012
ECONOMICS
Government and IoD chief at odds over finance for small firms
CONFLICTING claims emerged yesterday over ease of access to finance for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) after a Scottish Government survey revealed that the vast majority of businesses were receiving the funding they were applying for. (Scotsman)
Consultation opens over Scottish bond issuing power
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Hide AdThe Scottish government could be given the power to issue its own bonds following a consultation, the UK Treasury has said. The move would allow Scottish ministers to raise hundreds of millions of pounds for major capital expenditure projects. (BBC)
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Green bank’s big ticket agenda is blow for wave and tidal energy
GREEN Investment Bank chairman Lord Smith has dealt a blow to the expectations of Scotland’s nascent tidal and wave energy technology companies by saying small projects will not be able to access the bank’s £3 billion capital in its first three years. (Scotsman)
Inverness firm opens fuel terminal at Angus harbour
An Inverness fuel supplier said yesterday it expected its income stream to be more steady in future after opening a fuel terminal at a Scottish port. Highland Fuels will provide nearly 660,000 gallons of storage at Montrose Port as part of a near-£10million redevelopment of the Angus harbour. (Press and Journal)
Energy Assets powering ahead with maiden profit
Customers turning to smart meters to help them keep a closer eye on their costs helped Energy Assets, the Livingston-based gas meter operator, post a maiden profit at the higher end of expectations. (Scotsman)
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Royal Highland Show 2012: Battle to make the CAP fit
THE sharp divide between UK and Scottish political ambitions in the forthcoming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was the main feature of an extremely wet opening day at the Royal Highland Show. (Scotsman)