Fife Interchange North in Dunfermline is part of the Industrial Innovation Investment Programme (i3) – a 10-year project being delivered by Fife Council to create new business space and serviced land across the region.

It will support around 1,200 jobs while attracting private sector investment.

The DFM saw a demonstration of a Bluetooth-connected weighing system which allows farmers to manage their livestock. It is designed by iLivestock – a company which has made its headquarters at Fife Interchange North with plans to increase turnover from £1.4m to £22m within five years, creating up to 80 new jobs.

The i3 Programme is supported through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal – one of 12 Regional Growth Deals currently in delivery across the country receiving a total of £1.9 billion Scottish Government funding.

Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish Government’s £35m investment in the i3 Programme aims to provide entrepreneurs and businesses with the conditions they need to innovate and thrive.

“Having just held Scotland’s first National Innovation Week, there is no doubt that this country has the talent and skills to become one of the world’s most innovative small nations.

“Fife Interchange North delivers modern, energy efficient units for innovative businesses to develop and grow across the region. It’s been great to see a demonstration of some of the pioneering work being carried out here.

“The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal has already created or supported over 22,000 jobs and more than 1,000 businesses. And there is much more of this to come in the years ahead as Growth Deal projects across Scotland move into delivery.”