Record number of Scottish companies looking to export

Scottish Enterprise has revealed that more companies than ever before were supported into new overseas markets last year by its international trade and investment arm Scottish Development International (SDI).

In 2012/13, SDI worked with 2,096 companies to develop their international business, representing a 52 per cent increase from the previous year.

This included working with 229 companies on high value international projects that are expected to lead to an increase in export sales of £818 million over the next three years – up from the £733 million achieved in 2011/12.

As a joint venture, SDI also operates on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise where 156 companies were supported overseas last year – an increase of almost 50 per cent from the previous year.

Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International, says: “It’s vital that we continue to raise our international aspirations and encourage more and more Scottish companies to think globally.

“Tapping into international markets can transform an established business and more significantly, play a key role in adding economic value and jobs to the Scottish economy. Our results show that these messages are hitting home with Scottish businesses and they’re getting braver at exporting.

“The record level of demand we’ve seen gives us great confidence that we can transform Scotland’s export performance in the coming few years. With Scottish exports growing to just under £24 billion in 2011, we must maintain our focus and continue to build on these results and achieve our target of a 50 per cent increase in the value of international exports by 2017. It's vital that we capitalise on the interest that’s out there and work with many more companies to realise their potential on the international stage.

“Key to our success over the past year has been the integrated approach with our colleagues in Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway and we must continue to do this to ensure companies get all of the support they need to achieve their international ambitions.”

Other results showed that:

• More than half of all 2096 companies supported by SDI were from the technology and engineering (313), food & drink (280), oil & gas (242), tourism (147) and textiles (136) sectors.
• The majority of demand for SDI support is still focused on markets closer to home with 752 companies targeting EU markets.
• Last year, however, saw an increase of almost 60 per cent in the number of companies receiving support to target markets in Asia. This included more than 241 companies targeting new business in China (an increase of 40 per cent) while other markets such as India, Singapore and Thailand also showed significant increases
• Scottish companies were also supported by the GlobalScot network with 2,000 requests of support facilitated, including almost 200 one-to-one meetings between companies and GlobalScots.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney said: "This comes on the back of yesterday’s job figures showing the largest rise in employment on record with an increase of 54,000 people in work. Scotland also showed the largest quarterly rise in employment of all 12 UK countries and regions and these export figures are a further welcomed boost to Scotland’s economy.

“A strong global export performance is essential for Scotland’s economic success and the latest Scottish Development International figures show that we are well on track.

"The work of SDI, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise is supporting growth by encouraging companies operating in Scotland to expand and reach out to new markets.

“Scotland has a wealth of expertise in renewable energy, life sciences, food and drink and textiles and our world-class products are internationally recognised.

“I look forward to more Scottish companies reaching out to the global market and building on our international reputation for business excellence.”

Companies which have benefited from SDI support include Sand Monitoring Services which services the oil & gas sector; technology firm Probe Test Solutions and textiles businesses Tartan Twist and AE Struthers.