Digital funding for Scots small businesses unveiled

Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the funding in Edinburgh. Picture: Ian Rutherford

A £7 million funding package aimed at helping make businesses across Scotland to become more digitally connected was unveiled by the Deputy First Minister in Edinburgh.

It will allow smaller firms to make better use of new technologies and become more competitive on the world stage.

“It is vital that businesses across Scotland have access to the latest cutting edge technologies to enable them to thrive and compete internationally,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“Our ability to exploit these new opportunities is central to positioning Scotland as a world leading digital nation within a global digital economy.

“This funding package will provide much needed support to enable Scottish businesses to compete in a global digital world.”

She insisted that all of Scotland will be able to reap the “social and cultural benefits” of the internet.

“Technology and access to high speed internet is a vital part of Scotland’s infrastructure, and that is why we are committed to delivering a world class digital infrastructure to the people of Scotland by 2020,” Ms Sturgeon added.

Polly Purvis, Executive Director of ScotlandIS said: “This is great news for Scotland’s business community.

“Digital technologies are transforming businesses, and harnessed effectively allow them to punch above their weight, accessing a much wider marketplace through e-commerce and the web, improving productivity, and reducing costs.”