Deputy first minister Kate Forbes, in an unusual move, has urged opposition parties to push her government to make its Budget more business-friendly.
The call came as the hospitality industry warned of job losses amid finance secretary Shona Robison's draft Budget announcement on Wednesday.
As the SNP is a minority administration, ministers require the Liberal Democrats or Greens, or another party, to back its Budget or abstain in order to push it through.
Speaking at a business breakfast organised by True North Advisors, Scottish Financial Enterprise and Brodies LLP, Forbes addressed an audience representing some of the countries largest industries.
Forbes, The Times reports, said: “The starting gun has just been fired for the Budget and I would like to see all of parliament coalesce around the importance of supporting our businesses and supporting our economy.”
Asked if she was suggesting there could be flexibility in the Budget, she replied: "I’m not suggesting anything because I’m not finance secretary but I am suggesting that I would like to see that focus across the board and a reflection of the importance of these businesses in all of our communities.”
In her UK Budget at the end of November, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 40% relief on business rates for the retail, leisure and hospitality sector.
But the Scottish Budget's version is less wide-ranging, only applying to hospitality firms with a ratable value of under £51,000.
Forbes acknowledged the plans did not “go as far as you would like", but added: "I can’t tell you how relieved I am that after two years where there has been no retail, hospitality and leisure relief, that this year there is - I accept more limited than you would like.”
The hospitality sector was left reeling following Wednesday's Budget announcement, with the boss of Aberdeen's McGinty's Group saying they had been "absolutely shafted".
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has warned the relief does not go far enough and will result in job losses and pub closures.