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Edinburgh Reporter
a day 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
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Business leaders urge backing of Acorn project
Business leaders have called on the chancellor to back the Acorn carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Aberdeenshire. The project at St Fergus would take greenhouse gas emissions and store it in depleted gas reservoirs under the North Sea. The project missed out on support in 2021, which instead went to two areas in the north of England, and was placed on a reserve list for future backing. Signatories on a letter to Rachel Reeves include oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood and business organisations such as the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. The UK government said Acorn had already received more than £40m for its development. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from North East Scotland on BBC Sounds The letter argues that the project has faced two decades of setbacks, and that it is needed to help Scottish industry decarbonise. It warns that failing to act now threatens thousands of jobs, billions of pounds of investment, and economic growth. The letter states: "We write to urge the UK government to commit, in its comprehensive spending review, to progressing Scotland's only opportunity for industrial decarbonisation, the Acorn CCS project, as an immediate priority. "There has never been a more important time for this project to proceed at pace. "Scotland must not be left behind." Commenting on the letter, the UK government said: "Acorn has already received over £40m for development and it is our firm ambition to proceed with the projects in the Track-2 clusters. "Scotland is at the forefront of the drive towards clean energy, with Great British Energy's headquarters located in Aberdeen and the recent £56m award for Cromarty Firth to become the UK's first floating offshore wind port capable of making turbines at scale." It added: "Our historic funding for two initial carbon capture clusters is just the first step in developing a self-sustaining market for the industry." Carbon capture scheme 'best placed' for UK backing
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Business leaders urge backing of Acorn carbon capture project
Business leaders have called on the chancellor to back the Acorn carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Aberdeenshire. The project at St Fergus would take greenhouse gas emissions and store it in depleted gas reservoirs under the North project missed out on support in 2021, which instead went to two areas in the north of England, and was placed on a reserve list for future backing. Signatories on a letter to Rachel Reeves include oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood and business organisations such as the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. The UK government said Acorn had already received more than £40m for its development. The letter argues that the project has faced two decades of setbacks, and that it is needed to help Scottish industry decarbonise. It warns that failing to act now threatens thousands of jobs, billions of pounds of investment, and economic letter states: "We write to urge the UK government to commit, in its comprehensive spending review, to progressing Scotland's only opportunity for industrial decarbonisation, the Acorn CCS project, as an immediate priority."There has never been a more important time for this project to proceed at pace. "Scotland must not be left behind." 'First step' Commenting on the letter, the UK government said: "Acorn has already received over £40m for development and it is our firm ambition to proceed with the projects in the Track-2 clusters."Scotland is at the forefront of the drive towards clean energy, with Great British Energy's headquarters located in Aberdeen and the recent £56m award for Cromarty Firth to become the UK's first floating offshore wind port capable of making turbines at scale."It added: "Our historic funding for two initial carbon capture clusters is just the first step in developing a self-sustaining market for the industry."
