CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SCOTTISH DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL (SDI) SUPPORTED TRADE ACTIVITIES

Scottish Development International (SDI) has supported and participated in a number of events during the Entente Cordiale centenary, intended to enhance Franco-Scottish business links. Back in February, SDI took part in DATE, a major semiconductor design exhibition in Paris, and Scottish companies attended the 3GSM World Congress n Cannes, an important wireless communications trade exhibition. May saw a joint initiative in Paris with Sub-Sea UK (the majority of whose members are Scottish companies) to support business growth between Scottish and French oil and gas sector companies, with particular interest in business opportunities in West Africa.

The programme for the First Minister’s official visit to France in June included a range of trade-related meetings and promotional activity, including support for the ongoing SDI/Scottish Quality Salmon project to develop the French market for Scottish salmon. During the same month, Scottish companies featured prominently in the GREAT! Britain trade fair, organised by UK Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Paris. The Scottish Executive hosted a Scottish fashion show as part of the event, in partnership with students from three Scottish colleges, in a unique celebration of contemporary Scottish fashion and design. The Scottish Culinary Team also presented a food and drink showcase, with some of Scotland’s most prestigious companies, renowned for their high quality produce, offering delights such as lamb, venison and fresh seafood.

Scotland’s Minister for Finance and Public Services, Andy Kerr, commented that, "Scotland is proud of the warm and long standing relationship that exists between the Scots and the French, and the Scottish Executive is delighted to be supporting today's GREAT! Britain celebration, providing an opportunity to showcase the best that Scotland can offer.

"Scotland's textile and design industry is at the cutting edge of modern design, and we are delighted that three leading educational institutions have joined the Executive to create today's fashion show. The exciting designs on show are a taste of contemporary Scottish fashion and design, and demonstrate the skills and innovation of our talented fashion students."

Also in June, Scottish Enterprise, the economic development agency of the Scottish Executive, was selected by the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce in Paris to sponsor its Annual Garden Party at the British Embassy in Paris. The occasion provided a unique opportunity to highlight the fact that, since the introduction of the ferry service between Rosyth (Fife) and Zeebrugge (Belgium, only a short distance away from France), Scotland is now even more easily accessible from continental Europe – and vice versa. This new maritime link has created fresh opportunities for both exporters and importers to and from Scotland, as well as the tourism industry.

Other initiatives include the promotion of sectors as diverse as mobile technology innovation (through the MX Alliance) and Scottish lamb, with Quality Meat Scotland due to exhibit at SIAL, the international food and drink exhibition in Paris, during October.

CONTACTS

Scottish Development International
Enquiry Desk
Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Tel: +44 (0)141 228 2828
www.scottishdevelopment
international.com