GlobalScots enjoy a homecoming in Glasgow
For Monday 2 November 2009
Some of Scotland’s most high-profile exports, imports and brightest prospects for the future will gather in Glasgow today (2 November) for the 2009 GlobalScot International Conference.
The conference, which brings together over 100 GlobalScots from around the world with 200 of Scotland’s most ambitious companies, will be chaired by Glasgow born and educated Gerry Rice, who is now deputy director for external relations of the International Monetary Fund.
The theme of the conference will be ‘Scotland’s global opportunity – great minds and innovation’, encouraging Scotland’s most ambitious companies to consider how innovation and creativity can provide a means to survive and prosper in the current climate.
A keynote speech will be delivered by Will Whitehorn, president of Virgin Galactic, and a panel session involving ‘great minds’ such as Sir Tom Hunter, chairman of West Coast Capital, Peter Robertson, former vice chair of the board of Chevron, and Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Development International, will be discussing ‘Scotland’s global opportunity’.
Scottish companies will also have the opportunity to meet and make their pitch to GlobalScots through informal one-to-one briefings and an interactive programme of workshops.
Conference chair Gerry Rice said: “As Scottish companies face up to the challenges of the global financial crisis, now really is the time to start looking outwards. It’s a tough world out there and in order to survive and prosper, Scotland is going to have to become even more competitive.
“That means being nimble enough to take advantage of international opportunities, particularly in those sectors where Scotland has a competitive advantage.
“As a GlobalScot, I have a strong interest in my home country and I’m looking forward to meeting lots of Scottish companies and finding out about their international plans. It’s also a great opportunity for me to catch up with fellow
Scots from all over the world, who bring so much talent and experience to the GlobalScot network.”
Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “I am delighted to welcome more than 100 GlobalScots to Glasgow for this year’s conference. The efforts of GlobalScots, in encouraging investment in Scotland and helping Scottish companies expand internationally, are of paramount importance in the current climate. As we look to maximise opportunities to position Scotland’s economy for recovery, it is important that GlobalScots continue to open doors for Scottish companies across the globe and promote our country as a great place to do business.”
Irene Johnstone, director of International Networks at Scottish Enterprise, added: “We’ve been thrilled by the high number of company registations this year – a fantastic result given the fact that these companies are still operating in a really tough economic climate.
“This demonstrates that Scottish companies appreciate how important it is to look beyond traditional markets and exploit business opportunities overseas, and that they are prepared to get out there and make the connections which will help them to achieve this. These connections have the potential not only to generate new international business opportunities for Scottish companies, but to really accelerate Scotland’s economic growth.”
To find out more about the conference or the GlobalScot network, visit: www.globalscot.com