Scotland's Economy

  • Advice available for manufacturers

    25th June 2012 by

    This year, we’re working hard to engage with even more Scottish manufacturers, carry out even more projects and deliver even greater value to Scotland’s economy by helping companies generate more savings and create new jobs, new products and new markets.

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  • Chemicals sector has the right formula to grow our economy

    30th May 2012 by

    Growing our economy and exporting more goods to the rest of the world is the key to Scotland’s future prosperity. Leading the charge is our whisky industry, which has already helped meet a 2017 target to increase exports six years earlier than planned.

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  • Scottish Development International Annual Results

    30th May 2012 by

    Getting companies to invest in their growth is vital if we are to get Scotland's economy moving again. That's why I was delighted to announce SDI's annual results this month, which show how we've been supporting Scottish companies to take advantage of new international trade opportunities.

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  • Showcasing Scotland in Korea

    20th April 2012 by

    The final day of my trip to Korea begins with a media conference to explain the purpose of the trip - to pursue Korean investment and to promote Scottish business interests. I am accompanied by Frank Boyland and Howard Jang (both of SDI in Asia), Adrian Gillespie (Energy Director of Scottish Enterprise) and Ewen Cameron (SDI Head of Food, Drink and Textiles).

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  • Exploring new opportunities in Osaka

    18th April 2012 by

    The third and final day of the Japan leg of my trip started with a call to Rolto, an existing investor in Scotland who own Mentholatum in East Kilbride. We talked over the expansion of the company's product range and will work with them to try to make the most of this opportunity in Scotland.

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  • Scottish produce top of the menu in Japan

    17th April 2012 by

    An early start to day two of my Japan visit and the focus continues to be on Scotland's growth industries. Over lunchtime, Scottish Development International put together an excellent event to showcase Scotland's wonderful food and drink - one of our largest export successes.

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  • Doing business in Japan

    17th April 2012 by

    I am writing this at the end of my first full day of meetings and visits in Japan with the team from Scottish Development International. In addition to a broad knowledge of the opportunities in the Japanese economy, they have developed real strength in the various sectors that matter to us; energy, life sciences, food and drink, textiles and working with our universities.

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  • Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service Conference

    29th March 2012 by

    In Scotland, manufacturing has moved successfully over the past few decades from low value to high value niche markets and although the overall numbers employed have fallen, Scotland is still home to more than 8000 manufacturing companies - 93% of which are Scottish owned.

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  • David Hume Institute Speech and Interview

    3rd February 2012 by

    I enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the David Hume Institute last night and set out Scotland's economic opportunities under independence. The Scottish Government video team interviewed me at the event and audio clips of the speech and Q&A are available.

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  • David Hume Institute

    2nd February 2012 by

    This evening I will address the David Hume Institute in Edinburgh. In the speech I will discuss Scotland’s position in the global economy and set out the Government’s vision for capitalising on new opportunities in global markets. My opinion pieces in the Financial Times and Scotsman outline some of the areas I will discuss tonight.

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