Business insurance holders in Scotland are to be supported in becoming more innovative, the government has revealed.
Finance secretary John Swinney unveiled the Innovation for Scotland framework at the Business in Parliament conference, which will include a series of measures to help the country's business insurance customers prepare for the future.
The scheme will involve the proposed Scottish Investment Bank financing the growth of business insurance holders, with more than 2,500 companies also being helped through innovation support provided by the nation's enterprise agencies.
In addition, industry specific schemes, such as the £10 million Saltire Prize for research in marine renewables, will encourage cutting-edge developments in Scotland.
Mr Swinney commented: "Successful businesses find more efficient and effective ways to improve productivity, expand market share and increase profits. In other words, they innovate."
Jonathan Kestenbaum, chief executive of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, also highlighted the potential of Scotland's life sciences, video games and green technologies sectors.
Last week, Northern Ireland's enterprise minister Arlene Foster said investment in innovation and research can help the country's firms survive the recession.
