§ 18. Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contribution Smart awards have made to improving the productivity of manufacturing businesses. [16487]
§ Ms HewittThe main aim of Smart is to stimulate technological innovation to increase the competitiveness of small and medium sized businesses, rather than to increase productivity. The independent evaluation of Smart this year found that as a result of their awards 77 per cent. of participants improved the quality of their products, services and processes, 26 per cent. reduced costs and 71 per cent. improved their market position.