A network of Trade Envoys will help promote Scotland abroad and support the efforts of the country’s exporters.
The Scottish Government has announced that the new network will be appointed in the autumn to champion and represent Scotland’s export interests, and to strengthen local market knowledge.
Comprising senior figures from industry and public life, the Trade Envoys will take on the voluntary role for an initial period of two years.
Potentially based abroad, their duties will see them working to identify specific business opportunities in new overseas markets, make connections with businesses in Scotland, and develop their understanding of the target sectors and companies in their allotted countries.
They are also likely to be involved in leading inward and outward trade visits.
Scotland’s move to increase exports will also see the launch of two more Innovation and Investment Hubs. Following the success of initiatives in London and Dublin, the Scottish Government is to establish further facilities in Berlin and Paris. The intention is for it to help “ambitious” Scottish companies take advantage of business opportunities not only in the German and French capitals but across continental Europe.
In addition to the two new hubs, the country’s existing presence in Brussels will be strengthened in a concerted effort to help Scottish companies increase exports and explore new markets.
In the words of Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, encouraging exports is not simply a good thing to do in itself, it is also important to her Government’s aim of raising productivity.
“We want to ensure that Scotland remains an open, outward looking, internationalist country,” she explained, “and part of that is about doing even more to promote Scottish businesses overseas.”
