4 February 2019
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is visiting North America to strengthen trade and cultural links between Scotland and the USA and Canada.
The USA remains Scotland’s top export destination country, with an estimated £5.5 billion of exports in 2017 and Canada continues to be a top 20 export destination worth £580 million.
First Minister @NicolaSturgeon will visit North America next week to strengthen trade and cultural links between Scotland and the USA and Canada: https://t.co/ErqmTOu90L pic.twitter.com/4mHF742JWw
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) February 2, 2019
The First Minister said:
“Scotland has a longstanding relationship with North America across family, friendship, culture and business. The latest figures released just this week show how important our trade relationship with North America is for our economy.
“This visit will build on the existing links between our countries and provide new opportunities for us to work together and learn from each other’s expertise in areas including climate change, renewables and gender equality.
“With the shadow of Brexit hanging over our economy, it is more important now than ever to reassure businesses that Scotland is an open and welcoming country and an attractive place to invest in, visit and live.”
The First Minister started the week in Washington DC where she addressed an audience at the start of Women World Leaders Week at Georgetown’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
Dean @joelhellman_SFS welcomes @NicolaSturgeon and audience to @Georgetown @Riggs library – our homage to Harry Potter pic.twitter.com/wWVvUP0pZ3
— GU Women & Peace (@giwps) February 4, 2019
FM @NicolaSturgeon addressed an audience at Georgetown University’s @giwps in Washington DC on ‘Scotland, Brexit, and the Future’. Watch the full speech here:https://t.co/IuuMLOdGK7 pic.twitter.com/nKj5u7I3Kz
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) February 4, 2019
Read the full speech online.
The First Minister was also interviewed on PBS NewsHour about the effect Brexit will have on Scotland.
She also had business meetings with US companies with connections in Scotland including Verdant Power.
She met representatives from Leidos – an American technology company which is also sponsoring the Glasgow Warriors rugby team.
On the second day in the USA the First Minister will meet the Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy to discuss shared ambitions around tackling climate change.