Ministear airson Cumhachd,lomairt agusTurasachd Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism FearghasEwing SPA

Fergus Ewing MSP

F(T:0845 7741741
E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsLgov.uk

Ms Kezia Dugdale MSP The Scottish Parliament EDINBURGH EH991SP

Ur faidhlelYour ref: PG120917 Ar faidhle/Our ref: 2012/0030776 \Z.~ October 2012

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Thank you for your letter September 2012 to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth which noted comments from one of your constituents regarding a grant award to Eden Springs UK Ltd. As this falls within my portfolio I am replying. Eden Springs UK Ltd's ultimate headquarters is in Switzerland and this parent company operates across 16 countries. The Israeli operation is a subsidiary of the Eden Springs group. The financial assistance paid to Eden Springs UK since 2010 has totalled 173,397.59. This has encompassed a nurt:lber of grants and has included assistance towards Training Needs Analysis, Sales Training and Supply Chain Development. This support is helping to safeguard jobs at the firm's Blantyre facility, and forms part of Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise's vital work to drive forward sustainable economic growth across Scotland's business community. I'd like to assure you that the Scottish Government supports the view that long-term peace in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine is best served by a two-state solution and we urge all parties to engage constructively to find a peaceful way forward. We agree with the International Community's call for both sides to sit down and move forward and to act reasonably, proportionally and within the obligations imposed on them by international law. A negotiated peace is in the best interests of all concerned and for the future of Palestine and Israel.

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