1 May 2019

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has launched an ambitious growth plan which will aim to increase the value of exports from 20% to 25% of Scotland’s GDP over the next 10 years.

The new plan, which was launched at the 22nd National Economic Forum in Edinburgh – sets out how the country can add around £3.5 billion to GDP and create 17.500 more jobs.

This morning, @ScotGovFM Nicola Sturgeon launched A Trading Nation, a new export growth plan to help Scotland achieve its trading potential.

Scotland is open for business with partners around the globe.

Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/yKQZbJEB3T#SGExportGrowth #EdinburghNEF2019 pic.twitter.com/2eheeae03n

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) May 1, 2019

The First Minister said:

This approach could make a vital contribution to our economic growth and prosperity, create jobs and help to deliver the public services that we all value.

A Trading Nation – a plan for growing Scotland’s exports is backed by £20 million of additional investment over three years.

During the event the First Minister took part in a Q&A with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Government Business Secretary Michael Russell and David Cutter from Diageo with the 100 delegates putting a range of questions on exports to the panel.

'We want Scottish companies to go out & compete in international market places, just as we want people from outside Scotland to come here to our country to study, work or invest' – @NicolaSturgeon launching #SGExportGrowth #EdinburghNEF2019
Full speech👇https://t.co/uBlE9qWnap pic.twitter.com/paVfP8fBFq

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) May 1, 2019