SCOTTISH Enterprise has launched a campaign to encourage companies to invest in growth to help get the economy moving and has held out the prospect of funding for firms that rise to the challenge.

The agency hopes to persuade firms to take the risks involved in the kind of investment some may be deferring because of concerns about the state of the economy.

Chief executive Lena Wilson believes firms that answer Scottish Enterprise's call to "say yes to growth" could find the investments they make generate big returns for their businesses while providing a vital boost to growth in Scotland.

"The reality is that we can only get Scotland's economy moving again if we can get Scottish companies investing," said Ms Wilson. She said companies that are going after new opportunities are "bucking the trend and outperforming the norm".

For example, Scottish Enterprise noted that Roslin-based Solid Form Solutions won £900,000 of new business following one visit to a global biotechnology conference in South Korea after deciding to try to break into new overseas territories.

Scottish Enterprise is targeting firms that want to create long- term sustainable jobs, develop a new product or service, diversify into a new market or trade internationally for the first time.

The agency claims to have streamlined its processes and cut red tape to make it easier for it to support companies who come forward via the campaign.

The initiative has received backing from other public sector partners, including Business Gateway, and endorsements from private sector organisations such as CBI Scotland.