A PROJECT created to assists reservists and military veterans wishing to start their own businesses has been given the backing of Scotland’s Veterans Minister.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, recently visited ViNE (Veterans into New Enterprise) based in Grangemouth.

The project was founded by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce when it became the first chamber of commerce in Scotland to sign the Corporate Covenant, formally agreeing to actively support the employment of reservists and military veterans.

Mr Brown said, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce’s ViNE project which will assist former service personnel and their families across the Forth Valley area by providing structured business support to reservists and military veterans wishing to start their own businesses.

“Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce has demonstrated its support of the armed forces community and recognises the valuable contribution that service personnel can bring to any organisation and I wish the project every success for the future.”