Swinney was commenting on the annual summary of the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA), the Scottish Government’s primary national scheme to provide financial assistance to industry.  The report showed that 164 businesses across a range of sectors availed of RSA offers in the last financial year.  The assistance totalled £87.4m in value and protected over 12,000 jobs. 

RSA supplies discretionary grants for investment projects that will create or safeguard jobs in areas designated for regional aid under European Community law. 

Speaking after the Global Financial Services Week Business Breakfast today in Dundee Swinney said:   

"Our financial services industry, worth around £7 billion to the Scottish economy, will make a critical contribution to increasing Scotland's sustainable economic growth.

"World-class expertise in banking and insurance and world class companies located and growing in Scotland can help maintain Scotland's excellent reputation and strong performance in financial services.

"That's why it's encouraging to see that so many financial services companies in Scotland have accepted Regional Selective Assistance in the last year. It demonstrates the industry in Scotland remains well placed to continue to grow, despite the current global economic uncertainty. I hope Global Financial Services Week will help underline that point and demonstrate to the world the tremendous qualities of our Financial Services industry.

"In the absence of financial powers, Regional Selective Assistance is a scheme which helps business in Scotland to flourish, encourages investment and stimulates job creation