Sir Andrew Cubie's call for quality

Quality Scotland chairman Sir Andrew Cubie will today call on business organisations to get behind a drive to improve standards and make the country more competitive.

Cubie, who is presenting the Scottish Awards for Business Excellence, says now is the time for both the private and public sectors to look at their efficiency.

He told The Scotsman that while he was not naming those he has been in talks with yet, Quality Scotland is looking for other organisations to join it in a "charter for excellence".

Quality Scotland was set up 20 years ago to promote good business and management practice.

Cubie said that with the rise of new economies such as China, it was just as important now that Scottish businesses focus on improving their standards.