The FSB was the first business organisation Alex Salmond met after becoming First Minister In 2007 and he thanked the FSB for its hard work in promoting Scottish business. 

He congratulated John Wright on his three years as National Chairman of the FSB and wished him the best of luck in his future work.

The First Minister talked about a number of issues affecting small businesses in more detail:

The Small Business Bonus Scheme gives qualifying small business automatic small business rates relief. The scheme was designed together with the FSB and has been of significant benefit to the small business community and has been vital in keeping the small business sector going, particularly during the recession.

Apprenticeships designed specifically for businesses with fewer than ten employers. So far 19,991 apprenticeships have been created.

The Scottish Government has a target of paying businesses within ten days.  The importance of them paying their sub-contractors within ten days was also highlighted.  As a result the ten day payment period for sub-contractors is included in all Scottish Government contracts.

Access to finance is still a major barrier to growth and he urged the Government to put more pressure on banks to relax its lending criteria, particularly to the small business sector.

He also expressed his opposition to the proposed increase in National Insurance Contributions, as increasing the tax on jobs will be very detrimental when the economic recovery is still fragile.

The First Minister then announced a new Investment Scheme for small businesses in the East of Scotland. This will enable small businesses to access a multi-million pound investment fund, for loans of up to £50,000.  The scheme will benefit both new and existing businesses and is expected to protect and create up to 1,300 jobs.