Around 2,000 Scottish jobs are to be created or safeguarded with the help of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grants.

Twenty-five businesses in Scotland accepted RSA grant offers totalling more than £13.5m in the second quarter of 2008.

RSA is the main national scheme of financial assistance to industry, providing discretionary grants for investment projects that will create or safeguard jobs in Assisted Areas, which are designated for regional aid under European law.

Manufacturing, design and IT projects are among those to benefit, and the offers relate to planned investment of more than £57 million.

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: “Encouraging investment and job creation is an essential ingredient of achieving increased, sustainable economic growth in Scotland.

“The latest quarterly report demonstrates that Regional Selective Assistance is an important tool in helping business projects come to fruition at a time of global economic uncertainty.

“RSA complements other initiatives by the Scottish Government to create the more competitive business environment this country needs.

“Other economic policies introduced, such as cutting and scrapping business rates for 150,000 businesses, will help breathe new life into Scotland and see the benefits of growth felt in all communities.”

The report can be viewed here.

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