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Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Brand Scotland – UK Government signs agreement with Scottish Chambers of Commerce
A Brand Scotland overseas trade missions initiative was signed on Friday by the Scotland Office and Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) in a partnership agreement. This collaboration will be supported by UK Government funding of up to £100,000 for 2025/26 which will help to promote Scottish trade and is aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into Scotland. Brand Scotland is part of the UK Government's Plan for Change boosting economic growth by promoting Scottish products and services while attracting international inward investment. The initiative will include a series of trade missions all designed to showcase Scottish businesses across the globe. Ian Murray and Liz Cameron signed the agreement at the UK Government's Queen Elizabeth HQ in Edinburgh. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This agreement will help give Scotland a global platform to sell everything our brilliant country has to offer – from whisky and seafood to our world class services. 'The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks is a huge opportunity for Scotland's economy – with the most populous country in the world, the richest country in the world and our most important market. This partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce will create valuable opportunities for Scottish firms and help kickstart economic growth as part of our Plan for Change. 'I have already been to Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States to bang the drum for Scotland and with this partnership we will take businesses to even more markets. The Scotland Office will be Scotland's window to the world.' Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive and Director Dr Liz Cameron, CBE, said: 'Delivering impactful trade missions that will sell Brand Scotland and our innovative and dynamic businesses will strengthen our global presence. This partnership with the Scotland Office is vital for economic growth and will help more businesses trade internationally and encourage more inward investment. 'The world wants our quality products and services and this significant investment in Brand Scotland will create even more opportunities to sell our nation internationally. Our businesses continue to successfully engage with SCC overseas missions and now by combining forces between SCC and the Scotland Office, we can drive our economy further by providing valuable platforms and alliances for more exporters to sell their fantastic products and services to new global markets. 'Scotland is open for business and we welcome Brand Scotland's support to allow us to trade with confidence on a world stage.' Leading entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors have also welcomed the agreement. Founder & CEO of Greenock-based PG Paper Dr Poonam Gupta, OBE, said: 'At PG Paper, international trade is the backbone of our business. We have built a multi-million pound business by connecting with over 60 countries. This partnership between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office sends a clear message: Scotland is ambitious, outward-looking, and ready to lead. The Scotland Office initiative will help businesses like ours expand our international reach, forge high-value connections, and drive economic impact both at home and abroad. This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative action Scotland needs to accelerate exports and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.' CEO of Aberdeen-based PCL Group Dr Jeanette Forbes, OBE, said: 'As a global IT and energy tech company operating in over 27 countries, we know first-hand how critical international trade is to business growth and innovation. Trade missions are strategic enablers that unlock new markets, foster long-term relationships, and elevate Scotland's global standing. The collaboration between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office is exactly the type of public-private partnership needed to amplify Scotland's voice on the world stage and grow our economies.' Details of trade missions will be confirmed later. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, (with his younger daughter) and Liz Cameron, CBE Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
UK Government funds new ‘Brand Scotland' trade mission push
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the aim was to leverage Scotland's already strong international reputation. 'No matter where you go in the world, when you tell people you are Scottish their eyes light up,' he said. 'We want to give Scotland a global platform to sell everything our brilliant country has to offer — from whisky and seafood to our world-class services.' READ MORE In recent weeks, the UK Government has secured trade deals with the United States, India and the European Union. Mr Murray said this presented 'a huge opportunity for Scotland's economy — with the most populous country in the world, the richest country in the world and our most important market'. He added: 'The Scotland Office will be Scotland's window to the world. 'That is why I am so excited about this partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, which will create valuable opportunities for Scottish firms and help kickstart economic growth as part of our plan for change. 'I have already been to Norway, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States to bang the drum for Scotland — and with this partnership, we will take businesses to even more markets, starting next week with a trade mission to Spain.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray (Image: PA) Liz Cameron, chief executive of the SCC, said: 'We are excited to work with the Scotland Office. This grant will empower us to deliver impactful trade missions that strengthen Scotland's global presence, help more businesses trade internationally and encourage more investment into Scotland.' READ MORE The UK–India free trade agreement is expected to sharply reduce India's steep import duties on Scotch whisky. Scotch remains Scotland's most famous export — worth £5.6 billion in 2023, with around 1.35bn bottles shipped worldwide. Yet India has traditionally imposed a 150% tariff on imports, severely limiting Scotch's reach. It will now be halved to 75%, dropping to 40% after 10 years. The Scotch Whisky Association believe the deal could result in £1bn of extra exports in five years, plus 1,200 new jobs. The new agreement with the European Union, has been welcomed by exporters. The Scottish salmon industry has estimated that between 2019 and 2023, Scottish Salmon export values experienced a net loss of around £75m. The deal with the EU should make it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to European markets.
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
SNP spent decades 'selling Scotland to Scots' rather than rest of world, Scotland Secretary claims
The SNP claimed issues around exports were down to Brexit Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The SNP has spent decades 'selling Scotland to Scots' rather than the rest of world, Ian Murray has claimed. In a letter discussing the work of the Scotland Office, the Scotland Secretary accused both the SNP of Tories of contributing to 15 years of 'failure', and damaging the success of the country's exports. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Murray, the MP for Edinburgh South, claimed the UK Government was now pushing "Brand Scotland" to transform this, coming on the back of three successive trade deals being announced. In the past few weeks Labour have secured trade deals with the US, India, and EU. The SNP claimed the agreements were 'minor', and that only the SNP were putting Scotland's interests first. In his letter to Patricia Ferguson, the Labour MP and chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Mr Murray said: 'For more than a decade, Scotland had two governments focused on selling Scotland to the Scots rather than selling what our brilliant country has to offer the rest of the world to create jobs, opportunities, and investment. 'The impact of that has been stark: in 2023, exports were 20.5 per cent of GDP in Scotland, but 31.1 per cent of UK GDP. If Scotland's exports had been 31.1 per cent of its GDP in 2023, they would have been £62 billion, £21 billion higher than their actual value. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Promoting Brand Scotland' 'That is the opportunity we have to grasp by promoting Brand Scotland after more than 15 years of failure from successive UK and Scottish governments. 'The ambition for Brand Scotland is to target key markets across the globe. Scotland Office officials are working to support a trade mission to China in June with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, and Minister McNeill will be leading a trade mission to Spain for Women led business in Scotland.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, seen in a rescue submersible at JFD Global in Renfrew, is willing to work co-operatively with the devolved government in the national interest (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell) | Getty Images Mr Murray also claimed future trade missions could include visits to the Far East, India, Southern Africa, Brazil, and Australia, all organised in collaboration with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and other key industry stakeholders. SNP economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP claimed issues with exports and the economy were down to Westminster. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said: "Over the last decade, Scotland has consistently been the most attractive place for inward investment in the UK, anywhere outside of London - but international trade is reserved to Westminster and successive Labour Party and Tory governments have failed Scotland, and treated our economic interests as an afterthought. "By imposing a hard Brexit and refusing to rejoin the EU, single market and customs union, Keir Starmer's Labour government is costing Scotland billions of pounds in lost trade and economic growth every year - meaning less money available for the NHS and public services.
STV News
20-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Scotland can have 'best of both worlds' with devolution, new report says
Scottish secretary Ian Murray has said Scotland can 'have the best of both worlds' with devolution. On Tuesday, a new report from Murray emphasised that Scotland benefits from the 'strong Scottish Parliament' with powers over tax, social security and public services, which is backed up by the security and strength of being part of the United Kingdom. 'Since last year's election, the Scotland Office has set out to reset the relationship between Scotland's two governments, as part of our Plan for Change,' Murray said. 'We are committed to making devolution work and working with the Scottish Government to deliver for people in Scotland – on growing the economy, becoming a green energy superpower and tackling poverty.' It's from the ninth annual UK Parliamentary report about the implementation of the Scotland Act 2016. Murray will lay the report before the UK Parliament on Tuesday. He's expected to state that working collaboratively with the Scottish Government is a key part of the UK Government's Plan for Change. 'Over the past year, the UK and Scottish Governments have worked collaboratively to harness these powers effectively,' Murray said. 'But our focus extends beyond the implementation of statutory instruments. It is essential that the powers conferred by the Scotland Act 2016 translate into tangible benefits for the people of Scotland.' Since July 2004, the Scotland Office at Westminster has enacted ten Scotland Act Orders – unlocking new devolved responsibilities in welfare, facilitating the Scottish Government's legislation on pardoning miners, and ensuring the introduction of a new building safety levy. Angus Robertson, the Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture said: 'Independence is the only realistic way to renew Scotland's democratic institutions, respect the voice of the people of Scotland, and secure Scotland's democratic future. 'While we are working constructively with the UK Government on areas of common ground such as eradicating child poverty and accelerating the transition to net zero, this Scottish Government believes that decisions about Scotland are best made by the people who live in Scotland through our own, independent parliament. 'The current devolution settlement is too limited to enable Scotland to fully address the challenges of the future. 'We continue to highlight our concerns in relation to how effectively other areas of intergovernmental relations are working. 'For example, the UK Government's ongoing statutory review of the Internal Market Act which failed to include an option to repeal the legislation and the deeply disrespectful lack of consultation on yesterday's EU and UK deal. 'That agreement, announced with no prior engagement, will have a profoundly damaging impact on Scotland's fishing sector, which is a devolved responsibility.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Alister Jack sworn into House of Lords as Lord Jack of Courance
The former Tory Scottish Secretary was nominated for a peerage in former prime minister Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list, alongside former Tory minister Michael Gove. He served as an MP for Dumfries and Galloway from 2017, and was Scottish Secretary from 2019 until 2024 when he stood down at the general election. And now, on Monday, Jack was officially introduced to the second chamber, draped in an ermine cloak. READ MORE: Keir Starmer branded 'pound shop Farage' in immigration crackdown When he was sworn into the second chamber on Monday afternoon, Jack said: "I, Alister, Lord Jack of Courance, swear by Almighty God that I will bear faithful and true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God." When the honours list was announced, Jack said: 'When I stepped down as an MP at last year's General Election, I was looking forward to new challenges. This opportunity was unexpected, but I welcome the chance to use this platform to speak up on issues I am passionate about. (Image: House of Lords) 'Whether championing our rural economy or standing up for Scotland's vital role at the heart of the United Kingdom, I will remain a strong voice for Scotland's interests in the House of Lords.' Sunak's citation said Jack 'worked to ensure that devolution worked better for the people of Scotland and the United Kingdom'. Previously, SNP deputy leader at Westminster, Pete Wishart, said that honours for Jack and Gove were 'one last slap in the face to the people of Scotland from Rishi Sunak'. READ MORE: Scottish care sector chief rips into Keir Starmer's immigration plans He said: 'While Alister Jack and Michael Gove settle into their cushy 'jobs' for life safe, unaccountable to voters, people across Scotland are still suffering the effects of fourteen years of Tory rule.' Jack previously admitted betting on the date of the 2024 General Election, but claimed he did so without any inside knowledge and did not break any rules. He was in charge of the Scotland Office when the UK Government blocked Scotland's gender reforms from becoming law, using a Section 35 order to block the legislation.
