Made in Scotland Roadshow: Scottish businesses ‘sell to the world’

£42 million of export finance deals brokered with Scottish businesses over the last six months

  • £42 million of export finance deals brokered with Scottish businesses since July
  • Boosting Scottish exports plays a vital role in growing the economy, a key part of the Plan for Change
  • Companies from a range of sectors including food and drink and offshore wind are benefitting from credit guarantees and insurance

Businesses behind Scotland’s most emblematic exports have been able to grow thanks to £42 million in UK Export Finance (UKEF) deals brokered so far since the summer.

Enabling companies such as Ferguson Whisky and manufacturer of fire and rescue vehicles Emergency One, which the government of Iraq has contracted to replace some of its fleet of fire engines, to expand to markets abroad helps to grow the economy and create jobs, delivering on the Plan for Change. 

The latest Scottish business to benefit from support is Aberdeen-based First Tech – one of many offshore services firms in Scotland driving the energy transition and making the country a world-renowned centre of engineering skills. Scotland’s marine economy generated around £4.9 billion in 2022.

UKEF is renewing a £12 million support package delivered with Virgin Money for First Tech subsidiary First Subsea, allowing it to continue its growth into the offshore wind market and provide UK-made products like cable protections systems, bend restrictor products or heavy lift connectors, across the globe.

Minister Douglas Alexander will join UKEF representatives today at the ‘Made in Scotland’ roadshow, where he will encourage Scottish businesses to take advantage of the opportunities to sell abroad and hear first-hand about the support UKEF has provided.

Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander said: “Growing the economy is a key part of this UK Government’s Plan for Change, and we recognise the importance of boosting Scottish exports in achieving this.

“We’re working hard to ensure that Scottish businesses have the support they need to sell to the world and grow, and the help that UK Export Finance provides is a crucial part of this.”

Martin Suttie, First Tech Ltd Chairman said: “First Tech is very proud to be at the forefront of the energy transition story with our continued expertise in oil and gas being a launchpad to make meaningful developments in both the fixed and floating offshore wind market through First Subsea and also First Marine Solutions. 

“Floating wind technology enables almost every country in the world to integrate floating wind renewable energy into their energy mix. 

“It is therefore vitally important that the industry continues to develop and prove large scale commercial developments if we are going to genuinely change the energy mix around the globe. The First Tech Group is excited to play an important part in making this transition happen.”

UKEF is the UK government’s export credit agency, providing credit guarantees and insurance helping smaller businesses to overcome financial barriers to exporting.  

Export credit is an integral part of the government trade support being promoted at the first ‘Made in Scotland, Sold to the World’ trade fair of 2025. 

In 2021, Scotland’s exports were worth £50.1 billion, of which the majority – £33.5 billion – were goods.

UKEF’s specialised trade finance offer sits alongside other sources of support from public organisations like the Export Support Service, UK Export Academy and British Business Bank, which can offer more general access to finance.

Roadshow comes to Edinburgh to find those ‘unaware’ they have liver damage

Members of the public in Edinburgh are being encouraged to get their liver checked for free at The Mound Precinct, EH2 2EL on Tuesday 13th June with the arrival of a mobile liver screening roadshow.

One in ten adults in Edinburgh may be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, warns the British Liver Trust.

People can go along to the mobile unit from 10am to 4pm to find out what preventative measures they can take to keep their liver healthy and be offered a free liver scan. 

Nine in 10 cases of liver disease are preventable with the main causes being alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis. 

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of British Liver Trust, said, “One in three of us are at risk of liver disease and the numbers of people being diagnosed have been increasing at an alarming rate. 

“Liver damage develops silently with no signs or symptoms and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left until symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible. 

“The Love Your Liver  roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease. Approximately 20% of the people we scan need to have further checks.” 

The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three simple steps to Love Your Liver back to health: 

1.    Drink within recommended limits and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week 

2.    Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise 

3.    Know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk 

The roadshow comprises a mobile unit where people can take a free online screening test and find out if they are at risk. Free liver health scanning will also be available using a non-invasive device. There will be expert guidance on how to keep your liver healthy from healthcare professionals who will be on hand to provide advice on diet, exercise and healthy living. 

In addition to the roadshow in Edinburgh, the mobile unit will also be stopping at:  

  • Aberdeen: St Nicholas Street, AB10 1BF – Sunday 11th June 
  • Dundee: City Square, DD1 3AJ – Monday 12th June

If you can’t attend this event you can still find out if you are at risk and check your liver health online by doing the online screening test at:

https://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener 

Eden Project’s back on the road!

After a year and a half of virtual events, we’re heading back out on the road!

We’ll be holding a number of small events around Scotland, bringing people together outdoors for a natter about all things community, a cuppa, and maybe even some cake!

These gatherings will be small, safe, community focused events that help us get together again to simply chat, catch up, share stories and hear from others.

Whether you’ve been part of our network for ages, attended a Community Camp (at the Eden Project or online) or are just interested in meeting other people and groups that share an interest in making positive change in their local neighbourhood, you’re most welcome to join us.

All events are free, but spaces are limited so registration is essential.

Follow the Eventbrite link for more detailed information on each location and to book your place:

Edinburgh – Sun 15 August 2-4pm https://roadshowedinburgh.eventbrite.co.uk

Falkirk – Sat 21 August 11am-1pmhttps://roadshowfalkirk.eventbrite.co.uk

Glasgow – Sun 29 August 1.30-3.30pmhttps://roadshowglasgow.eventbrite.co.uk

Aberdeen – Sat 11 August 2-4pmhttps://roadshowaberdeen.eventbrite.co.uk

Inverness – Sat 25 August 11am-1.30pmhttps://roadshowinverness.eventbrite.co.uk

Dundee – Sat 23 October 12-4pmhttps://roadshowdundee.eventbrite.co.uk

RRRR Roadshows – happening now!

MuirhouseLibrary

Reduce Reuse Recycle Repair Roadshows are coming to a ribrary near you!

Want to find out more about recycling? The city council’s recycling roadshow is out and about in city libraries – in fact, if you’re really quick, you’ll catch it at Muirhouse Library – it’s there until 1pm today!

  • Creative reuse maker and educator Jamie MacDonald will be running drop-in workshops, suitable for all the family – showing you how to create simple and playful decorative items from reused materials.
  • Remade in Edinburgh will provide repair drop-in sessions, where people can bring in clothes and get advice on how to repair and transform them
  • Changeworks will also be there to provide practical advice and informaiton on reducing waste

Dates and times: 

·        Muirhouse 13th Feb 11 to  1 (i.e NOW !!!) 

·        Blackhall 23rd Feb 11 to  1 

·        Leith 8th Mar 1 to  3

·        Stockbridge 13th Mar 3 to  5 

·        McDonald  Road 14th Mar 2 to 4 

·        Granton 19th Mar 3 to 5

For more information visit:  http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20048/waste_education/480/recycling_roadshows_and_events/2

BlackhallLibraryblog

The Council’s talking rubbish!

Well, recycling anyway!

The city council has organised a series of recycling events to raise awareness of imminent changes to refuse collection and recycling services. The recycling roadshow rumbles into North Edinburgh’s Local Neighbourhood Office in West Pilton Gardens on Wednesday 15 August from 10am – 2.30pm and again on Wednesday 29 August (same venue and times).

For further information visit: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20048/waste_education/480/recycling_roadshows_and_events

 

 

The Council's talking rubbish!

Well, recycling anyway!

The city council has organised a series of recycling events to raise awareness of imminent changes to refuse collection and recycling services. The recycling roadshow rumbles into North Edinburgh’s Local Neighbourhood Office in West Pilton Gardens on Wednesday 15 August from 10am – 2.30pm and again on Wednesday 29 August (same venue and times).

For further information visit: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20048/waste_education/480/recycling_roadshows_and_events