LONDON: Scottish businesses are set to get more help to sell their products and services overseas, as the UK Government’s ‘exports roadshow’ comes to Scotland.
Stopping in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, the ‘Exporting is GREAT’ truck will offer expert exporting advice through talks, workshops and one-to-one coaching. Businesspeople will have the chance to hear Scottish business leaders discuss their own exporting experiences, and meet other like-minded businesses.
The events are being organised by the UK Government body UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), and delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI). They reflect the dual UK and Scottish Government support available to Scottish exporters – Scottish Enterprise and UKTI, which has a network in almost 170 markets worldwide.
UK Government Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said:
“Scotland is a global leader in some of the world’s fastest-growing and most innovative sectors such as life sciences, advanced engineering and food and drink. That success helps create jobs and drive growth, and we need to continue to drive that success.
“This initiative, which has been delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, will help unlock the potential of many more Scottish businesses, helping them make their mark around the world, and boosting the economy at home. It is just one of a number of initiatives to support businesses, encourage growth and help Scotland prosper. It is also an excellent example of the UK and Scottish Governments working together for the benefit of Scotland.”
The roadshow will be launched in Glasgow on 29 February by Mr Mundell and Scottish Government Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney. A number of prominent Scottish business leaders will also attend, including Andrea Pozzi (C&C Brands/ C&C International), Jim Stewart (Clicknetherfield) and Rabinder Buttar (ClinTec). The Export Hub will then tour around the country.
Topics covered on the roadshows will include e-commerce, researching new markets and how to get your business selling internationally. Research shows that exporters of all sizes are more innovative, resilient, achieve a stronger bottom line and are more likely to stay in business.
It is part of the UK Government’s ‘Exporting is GREAT’ campaign to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to take advantage of the global appetite for the UK’s products, skills and expertise. The website, www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk, showcases live export opportunities across the world.
Ross Martin, Chief Executive, SCDI said:
“SCDI is delighted to be a principal partner in the UK Government’s ‘Exporting is GREAT’ campaign. Our membership includes many of Scotland’s most successful and experienced exporters, and we have been committed to helping businesses achieve their global ambitions over more than five decades. SCDI recognises the vital contribution exporting brings to the economy, including increased productivity and higher levels of innovation. It’s vital to encourage and support more SMEs to export, ensuring a resilient business base and globally competitive economy for Scotland.”
The roadshow comes ahead of the International Festival of Business, the world’s largest business festival, that takes places in Liverpool in June, where Scottish businesses can sign up in advance for meetings with potential business partners from the UK and overseas.
Also today, the UK Government published a Joint Action Plan, agreed by Ministers from the Scotland Office, UK Trade and Investment, and the Scottish Government, which sets out on-going work to address recommendations made in the Wilson Review of Support for Scottish Exporting.
