- Cabinet Secretary John Swinney to address FSB dinner
Scottish small businesses need to sing out their successes to drive confidence in the economy, the Federation of Small Businesses' (FSB) East of Scotland regional Chairman Michael Dixon has said.
Speaking ahead of an FSB dinner taking place this evening in Edinburgh - featuring an address from Cabinet Secretary John Swinney – the small business lobby group boss outlined the organisation's new Real Life Entrepreneur campaign.
"The FSB's newest campaign looks to celebrate and support the country's Real Life Entrepreneurs. While the FSB presses the case for a conducive business environment for the smallest firms, I believe that owners of small businesses can play their part by telling others of their success.
"There are many causes of anxiety for Scotland's business community. However, we need to begin to be optimistic.
"Not gloating, not bragging, not blowing their own trumpet – I'd like small Scottish businesses to start telling the rest of the world that being self-employed and running your own business is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things that an individual can do, both for themselves and for society as a whole."
Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:
"Small and medium sized businesses are the beating heart of Scotland's economy and we are using all our economic levers to support their growth and success.
"This Government and its enterprise agencies are working hard to retain Scotland's position as the most supportive environment for business in the UK. We are maintaining the most generous package of reliefs available anywhere in the UK, worth on average more than £500 million per year, and record numbers of business properties are saving money though the Small Business Bonus Scheme.
"I welcome FSB's new campaign to celebrate and support the work of our entrepreneurs. This Government recognises the importance of not only inspiring, but supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs so that they can fulfil their potential and contribute to Scotland's future economic success."
The FSB's dinner, sponsored by Jewel and Esk College, is taking place immediately after the organisation's East of Scotland AGM. Over 150 small business owners, journalists, politicians and other FSB guests are attending the event.
ENDS
Notes:
- The FSB is Scotland's largest direct-member business organisation, representing over 20,000 Scottish members in every sector of the economy and with around 5000 in its East of Scotland region alone. UK-wide, it has over 200,000 members.
- Photographs from the evening will be available from Gordon Henderson, contact details below
- For a copy of the FSB's Real Life Entrepreneurs manifesto, click here: http://www.fsb.org.uk/campaigns/assets/entrepreneurship%20manfiest%20web.pdf
Contacts:
FSB
Stuart Mackinnon: 0141 221 0775 / 07917 628 995 stuart.mackinnon@fsb.org.uk
Gordon Henderson: 0131 654 9548 / 07917 628920 gordon.henderson@fsb.org.uk
Scottish Government
Carolyn Rae: 0131 244 4044 carolyn.rae@scotland.gsi.gov.uk