The move, which has been welcomed by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) will enable SMEs to gain guidance on electronic transactions via seminars, online activities and training days.

While the Scottish Goverment says 46 per cent of the £10bn a year public spend goes to "SMEs", in fact the definition (firms employing up to 250 staff) meant that referred to 99 per cent of all Scottish business.

The FSB says micro-businesses with fewer than 10 staff account for 94 per cent of companies and 29 per cent of employment, but only 4 per cent of procurement spend.

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Earlier this month the Scottish Parliament passed the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill which means that public bodies will now have a duty to consider how they can facilitate the involvement of SMEs, third- sector bodies and supported businesses in procurements.

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convenor at the FSB, said: "Alongside moves to encourage a more proportional approach from buyers, we warmly welcome extra support to ensure small enterprises deliver polished bids.