A public body has contributed £12.8m to businesses in Scotland over the last year to help them invest in capital equipment and infrastructure, including new machinery.

Government-sponsored Scottish Enterprise announced the figure this week, saying it hoped this would contribute to growth and global competitiveness.

It said 882 jobs had been created and 360 saved when the £12.8m was taken into consideration alongside £46m from the companies in question.

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The announcement came during a visit by Scottish Enterprise’s chairman, Crawford Gillies, to officially open Etek Europe Ltd's new facility at Prestwick International Aerospace Park, a £750,000 investment which the products and services company expects will help create 17 new jobs.

Mr Gillies said: "We need to encourage more companies to see the benefits of investing in the right equipment and infrastructure and the huge knock on effects it can have to their top line."

Mike Nelson of Etek Europe Ltd said the investment would boost the company's growth.

He said: "The investment in this new technology centre will allow Etek Europe to invite our global customers to come and view our equipment in our new demo room."

(NE)