This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Business Gateway planned
29/03/2003
Proposals for changes to the existing Small Business
Gateway have been published.
An Action Plan for creating a Business
Gateway outlines a way forward that is designed to
allow businesses of all sizes to access support services
under a more comprehensive Business Gateway first-stop
shop.
Enterprise Minister Iain Gray said:
"Proposals for a new Business Gateway system demonstrate
that the Executive is not only, listening to, but also
working closely with the business community in order to
meet their needs.
"Over the past year the Scottish Executive, Scottish
Enterprise, business representative groups and Local
Authorities have undertaken extensive work to develop the
Business Gateway system.
"Working with an expert group, Scottish Enterprise has
been preparing an Action Plan and this has now been issued
in order to provide a clear framework for the introduction
of the Business Gateway.
"I have asked the Local Economic Forums to take the
action plan forward establishing the Gateway in each LEF
area. The roll out work will now begin with the aim of
having the news structure in place early in July.
"The new system will provide all businesses with easier
access to support services _ building on the successes of
the current Small Business Gateway and combining this with
other existing services.
"The Business Gateway is a major development in the
provision of high quality business support in the Scottish
Enterprise area - and another important building block in
our move towards a Smart Successful Scotland.
"The Gateway will bring improved consistency and quality
to all business support delivery in the Scottish Enterprise
area, removing any duplication or overlap. It will
encompass all the major business support organisations -
including local authorities."
The Business Gateway will adopt the key features
utilised successfully in the Small Business Gateway:
- a common Scottish Enterprise area wide brand used
by all partners
- a single first contact access number and
Website
- a range of universal and targeted programmes
delivered in a consistent manner
- the provision of discretionary services at a local
level (local flexibility under national framework)