Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said that the Executive was determined to improve the opportunities for SMEs when dealing with the public sector.
After meeting Iain Graham, chairman and CEO of Graham Technology, today, Mr Stephen said: "At the Business in the Parliament event earlier this year, Iain Graham focused attention on the difficulties small, growing companies can face in competing for government business."
He added that he agreed then that this was a serious issue.
"The Scottish Executive is determined to remove the barriers which prevent many companies, particularly SMEs, getting better access to contracting opportunities in the public sector," continued Mr Stephen.
The Scottish Executive is working with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses to bring forward new procedures which it expects to improve the public sector procurement process.
Mr Stephen added that details of measures to improve access to public sector contracts for smaller firms will be announced soon.
