Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond has announced a new programme to support international social enterprises and to encourage new international social enterprises to be based in Scotland.
Speaking at the Social Enterprise Exchange at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, Mr Salmond said that the programme will include a headquarters grant, a commitment from ministers to advocate for the organisation and access to other types of support, such as from enterprise agencies.
Mr Salmond claimed that such support was "enlightened self-interest"', and said, "we have a strong and valued social enterprise sector here – one which the public sector is determined to support".
Mr Salmond said that he thought social enterprises would grow in importance over the next few years, especially in the delivery of public services.
Laurie Russell, chief executive of Social Enterprise Scotland, said: "attracting global social enterprises to set up their headquarters in Scotland is a demonstration that this really is the best country in the world for social enterprise."
He added: "A key reason why the Scottish government is so supportive of social enterprise is that we know the huge impact that social enterprises have on communities".
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