Scotland\u2019s economy is fundamentally strong but maintaining our place in the world\u2019s biggest single market is absolutely vital when it comes to protecting jobs, investment and long-term prosperity. Scotland delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain. Given that strong support to remain, the Scottish Government has committed as a priority to exploring all options to protect our relationship with the EU, and to secure the benefits of membership.<\/p>\n
Last week, the First Minister published analysis that highlighted, in the starkest possible terms, that the projected cost of Brexit to the Scottish economy is up to \u00a311.2 billion per year. It demonstrated that leaving the EU, under any potential alternative arrangement, will have a profound and long-lasting impact on the public finances and the wider economic and societal wellbeing of both Scotland and the UK as a whole.<\/p>\n
Although I am confident that Scottish businesses will take advantage of any trading opportunities, the reality is that post-Referendum uncertainty represents an immediate challenge to the economy and many businesses across Scotland. That is why \u2013 as part of a joint initiative between the Scottish Government, local government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and Business Gateway \u2013 we are working together to provide reliable, relevant and up-to-date information through a single point of contact for business via MyGov.scot.<\/p>\n
The website enables you to ask questions regardless of whether you are a multi-national, SME or a one-person operation on a range of issues from exports and regulation to EU procurement and funding streams.<\/p>\n
For now, we know that the referendum result will not impact on existing export and import arrangements with the EU and other countries, compliance with EU laws and regulations, and we retain access to the EU Single Market for at least two years.<\/p>\n
Trade and business, should therefore continue as normal and we are determined that Scotland will continue now and in the future to be an attractive and stable place to do business.<\/p>\n