Tag: trade links

Scottish Secretary visits Norway and Finland to boost trade links

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack this week travelled to Finland and Norway on a mission to boost post-Brexit trade links.

Finland and Norway have strong business links with Scotland, with Scottish exports to both countries are worth more than £1 billion a year in total. There is huge further potential for Scottish businesses.

Mr Jack undertook a packed programme in Helsinki, Oslo and Bergen. His engagements included:

  • Meeting key business representatives – including from the defence, manufacturing and energy sectors
  • Holding talks with leading political figures
  • Visiting the Haakonsvern naval base

Speaking ahead of his visit, Alister Jack said: “It is an honour to promote Scottish and UK interests in Finland and Norway. We greatly value the strong and important ties between the UK and our European friends and neighbours.

“There are enduring cultural, business and trade links between Scotland and Finland and Norway, and I look forward to strengthening those further on my visit.”

The Scottish Secretary’s itinerary also included:

  • Visiting Green waste management provider Fortum, paper manufacturer UPM, and seafood producer MOWI
  • Meeting the Finnish Trade Minister, Ville Skinnari, and Foreign Affairs Minister Johanna Sumuvuori
  • Meeting the Norwegian Defence Minister, Odd Roger Enoksen, and Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

Mr Jack travelled to Finland on Monday 28 February, then on to Norway on Wednesday 2 March. In both countries his visit was supported by the British Embassies, part of the UK’s extensive diplomatic network.

Auld Alliance: now Nicola’s off to Paris

Trade links highlighted during Paris visit  

Steps to increase trade with Scotland’s third largest export market will be progressed by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a two-day visit to France this week.

The First Minister will a lead a delegation of technology companies who will showcase their products and services to French partners, academics and customers in Paris.

Latest figures show France is Scotland’s third largest international export market worth an estimated £2.4 billion to the Scottish economy.

During the visit the First Minister will address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament on Tuesday, meet Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau and officially open the Scottish Government’s France Hub.

The First Minister said: “The relationship between Scotland and France is one of the oldest in the world.

“France is our third largest export market and French-based firms play a key part in our economy, with investments in financial services and our food and drink industry.

“By promoting trade and investment, and officially launching our new hub in Paris, the Scottish Government is working to show Scotland is open for business and an attractive place to invest, visit, work and live.

“Despite the challenges we face as a result of Brexit the Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to show the world that we are an open and outward looking country.”