First minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled a £400,000 funding package for Scottish chambers of commerce to support international trading alliances.
The boost was announced at the Scottish Chamber of Commerce’s (SCC) annual business address event which featured speeches from the first minister, SCC chairwoman Nora Senior and Heathrow airport boss, John Holland-Kaye.
Speaking at the event in Glasgow, she said that although the value of Scottish exports has grown in recent years there is more to be done.
“Right now just 70 businesses in Scotland account for half of our exports.
“We want the success of those 70 business to continue and to grow, of course we do, but we need a broadber base of exporting companies.
“Imagine the success we would have if we just doubled those 70 businesses, then tripled them”.
“I’m delighted to confirm tonight that over the next 18 months the Scottish Government will provide specific funding up to £400,000 to Scottish chambers of commerce.
“The chambers will use that funding together with resources they have already allocated to promote international trade mainly by developing better connections between Scottish and overseas chambers.
“That funding is important. It will support business-led trade missions and it will lead to the creation of at least 12 new trading alliances between chambers here in Scotland and in countries overseas.”
Mr Holland-Kaye noted that the “biggest single export” by volume that goes through Heathrow was Scottish salmon.
He thanked chambers in Scotland for helping Heathrow win support from businesses and Scottish airports for its expansion plans. In October the Government backed a third runway after rejecting proposals to expand an existing runway at Heathrow or build a second runway at Gatwick.
He said: “If you want to know why the Inverness Chamber backs Heathrow expansion it is because we worked with them British Airways, HIAL to make sure the Inverness to Heathrow route was reconnected which happened earlier this year. We are working with them to make that a success,” he said.
“Why did Aberdeen Airport back Heathrow expansion? Aberdeen doesn’t have international long haul flights.
“We get Aberdeen to Baku, Lagos, Houston all the places that the oil and gas industry needs to get to.”
He also announced that from January landing charges at Heathrow will be reduced by £10 per Scottish passenger.
Showing a video of the airport’s Christmas advertisement featuring two teddy bears, he said that 100million people around the world had seen it and has been judged to be more popular than that of John Lewis and the supermarkets’ versions.
“There is only one product we are selling in this advert – Walkers shortbread.
“They were one of the first companies to come out and say they back Heathrow expansion when it was unfashionable to do so.
“This is our thank you to the chambers and Walkers Shortbread.”
He said he had recently visited Scottish Government-owned Prestwick Airport to scope it out for the airport’s planned £200million hub in Scotland but that Heathrow was still looking at other locations.
Ms Sturgeon also revealed that Ms Senior will be one of the first members of a newly established board of trade which will “bring business expertise together” to advise the Scottish Government on how to improve export performance. She also paid tribute to Ms Senior who is stepping down from her role at the SCC having served the organisation for four years.
“You have been a superb champion for Scottish business. You are a superb champion for women and I’m sure all of us wish you every success for the future,” said Ms Sturgeon.