AIRBUS has become the latest high-profile company to join the Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange.

The French-based aerospace and defence giant, which supplies helicopters to the North Sea oil and gas industry, said joining the organisation would boost its business prospects in Scotland.

The SPBE, which aims to raise awareness of business among MSPs, counts corporate heavyweights such as ScottishPower, Bank of Scotland, BP, Shell, Brodies and Brewin Dolphin among its members.

Chief executive Arthur McIvor said the recent fall in oil prices and the coming of more powers for the Scottish Government following the Smith Commission mean there is no shortage of big issues for MSPs to engage the business community on.

Mr McIvor said: "Fluctuations in the oil price can have an effect on the communities served by the North Sea industry which are represented by MSPs, so it's useful for them to understand the way in which the industry works.

"Similarly, there will be circumstances when companies will require to know how the Scottish Parliament operates over issues such as the safeguarding of jobs."

Describing Airbus Helicopters as the "backbone" of the UK oil and gas sector fleet, Paul Kahn, president of Airbus Group UK, said that "Scotland is home to a number of critical Airbus Group activities, including aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul services, and is an integral part of Airbus' wing design and manufacture supply chain."

He added: "Joining the Scottish Business Exchange acknowledges these strengths and will help develop our business prospects in Scotland."