Scottish technology firms target new mobile and wireless opportunities overseas

A record number of Scottish businesses will be attending the world’s largest conference for mobile and wireless technology in a bid to secure new international business this week.

Scottish Development International is leading Scotland’s delegation to the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where 20 Scottish companies will showcase groundbreaking new innovations in mobile applications and technology to 50,000 delegates from 200 countries around the world.

GSMA Mobile World Congress is the world’s biggest and most renowned event for companies operating in the mobile space from games and application developers to global technology providers.

The Scottish companies will be promoting an extensive range of new products, services and technologies developed in Scotland, which have real global potential.

With mobile and wireless technology one of the fastest growing and dynamic sectors in the world, Scottish Development International believes events like Mobile World Congress are key to promoting Scotland’s capabilities in the sector.

Anne MacColl, chief executive of SDI says: “The explosion of the smartphone market and introduction of new online platforms has meant that consumers and businesses are increasingly looking to use mobile devices to do a whole range of things, from accessing news, entertainment and games on their mobile phone to accessing online services.

“Scotland has some unique competitive advantages in this area – we have a distinguished history and reputation as well as a strong base of Scottish companies doing really innovative things with wireless technology.

“Events like Mobile World Congress provide a huge opportunity for Scottish companies to take advantage of the spotlight and showcase their technology or products to an influential international audience - our purpose is to put Scotland firmly on the map in this important international arena."

SDI, working alongside Interactive Scotland and Enterprise Europe Network, has already helped to set up more than 50 meetings with global players such as Vodafone, RIM, Orange and O2 while companies will also be pursuing other meetings with companies while at the Congress.

Alasdair Gunn, project director for Scottish Enterprise's Interactive Scotland, comments: "The mobile sector has changed over the last couple of years with digital media being a key driver behind the mobile evolution. This is clearly reflected in the breadth and depth of Scottish companies attending the Congress, where we have a great range of market leading Scottish companies developing platforms, applications and services like mobile internet, augmented reality, social gaming, location services and mobile commerce.

"Interactive Scotland's key role is to help advise and grow companies across Scotland's digital media sector, where we provide them with a range of market leading expert services including market knowledge, tailored in-depth market research and intelligence, value proposition advice and connections to buyers and investors."

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