The centre will creating 750 new jobs when it opens in a new 1m sq.ft warehouse to be built in Sandpiper Drive in the eastern expansion.

The centre, Amazon's biggest in the UK on development land adjoining the M90 and A92 will distribute customer items over the UK, Europe and the world.

First minister Alec Salmond said "Amazon's plan to create a purpose built Fulfilment Centre in Dunfermline will create over 750 jobs and deliver a very significant boost to the local economy."

There will also be 200 new jobs at Amazon's existing facility in Gourock and the firm expects to create a further 1500 temporary jobs during peak periods.

Existing staff in the firm's Glenrothes facility, bought by Fife Council last summer, will move to the new centre in Dunfermline. Scottish Enterprise providing £2m in Regional Selective Assistance and £500,000 in training grants.

Synonymous with selling books, Amazon was established in 1998 and has widened its fields to selling films, music, computer games, software and electronic equipment over the Internet. Goods are stored in large regional centres, before being shipped out to customers.

The Amazon news comes hard on the heels of Shepherd Offshore acquisition and plans for the Hyundai fab and could act as a draw for other business and industry

The company's European operations VP (right) Allan Lyall, said, "Amazon is delighted that its biggest UK fulfilment centre is to be built in Dunfermline. It is a great location and it has been Amazon's priority to secure a new site as close to the current Glenrothes fulfilment centre as possible in order to preserve and transfer the entire skilled workforce with all its experience and Amazon knowledge.

"Our decision to base this major expansion in Scotland, against stiff international competition, is due not only to the excellent local workforce but to the impressive professionalism of Scottish Development International."

CEO of Scottish Development International,(left) Anne MacColl said, "This .. is great news for Scotland and demonstrates once again that Scotland continues to be an attractive location for international companies to invest.

"Amazon operates across the world and its decision to base its largest fulfilment centre in the UK here is testament to the hard work of colleagues from across SE and SDI to secure this investment for Scotland."

"Amazon" as it defines itself  strives to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where people can find and discover virtually anything they want to buy online. By giving customers more of what they want - low prices, vast selection, and convenience - Amazon continues to grow and evolve as a world-class e-commerce platform.



"Founded by Jeff Bezos, the Amazon.com website started in 1995 as a place to buy books because of the unique customer experience the Web could offer book lovers. Bezos believed that only the Internet could offer customers the convenience of browsing a selection of millions of book titles in a single sitting. During the first 30 days of business, Amazon fulfilled orders for customers in 50 states and 45 countries - all shipped from his Seattle-garage.



"Amazon's evolution from Web site to e-commerce partner to development platform is driven by the spirit of innovation that is part of the company's DNA. The world's brightest technology minds come to Amazon.com to research and develop technology that improves the lives of shoppers and sellers around the world."