Q&A - Jim Spowart: founder of the online bank Intelligent Finance on whether Scottish businesses would benefit from proposed plans to create internet domain names such as .scot or .sco

I think it can only be a good thing. For many companies the internet is a vital point of contact with its customers, a way to market themselves and reach out to a global market, and anything that will create a more unique and, in particular, Scottish presence on the web will surely be of great benefit.

How will it benefit companies?

It will allow them to shout out about being uniquely Scottish. If the companies have roots in Scotland, then it would be a good marketing tool and an easy way to stamp this identity on its products.

On the other hand, if a UK company had part of its business in Scotland, then it would be a good way to build up the "Scottish" arm, as distinct from the English or Welsh side of its company.

What about any negative impact it may have?

To be honest, I can't think of any. It's not something that businesses have to do.

It gives them an option of tapping into a potentially lucrative market and a way of reaching out of Scots all over the world. For example, you could use it as a way of pulling together young Scots around the globe.

I really can't see any harm in creating a domain name for north of the Border, and perhaps England and Wales would follow suit and create a .eng and a .wal.

No-one is taking away the .uk domain name, and if anyone is not in favour of a .scot, then they always have other options.

That is the beauty of the internet – you can use it to highlight something you want to market that is specifically Scottish, such as beef or whisky or tours or walks, or if you want to play down the fact you are operating from Scotland, then you can.

By creating a Scottish domain name it gives companies another way of placing their particular brand globally, and that can be no bad thing.