Talking-up Scotland

From the Baltic to Canada? Why am I singing the tune from the Proclaimers’s ‘Letter from America’?

We’ve already seen the First Minister on trips to connect us up with Scandinavia, Ireland, the Baltic and even the Arctic Circle countries. See:

SNP Government making new links to North and East in preparation for Brexit failures by UK Government

This is clearly part of an attempt to do what can be done in anticipation of the hard Brexit we’re told will hit Scotland particularly hard:

http://www.thenational.scot/news/15590683.Chilling_reading_as_Scottish_businesses_air_their_Brexit_concerns/

The only positive anticipated is that the damage will ‘drive up the Yes vote.’ See:

http://www.businessforscotland.com/brexit-damage-scotlands-economy-will-drive-yes-vote/

However, according to gov.scot:

‘Economy Secretary Keith Brown will visit Ottawa, Toronto, New Jersey and New York next week to promote Scotland to the North American business community, and strengthen diplomatic ties with both countries. The visit will focus on promoting trade and investment between Scotland and North America, boosting tourism, promoting Scottish innovation and entrepreneurship and showcasing the food and drink sector. Canada is one of Scotland’s top inward investors, with approximately 3,600 people in Scotland employed by Canadian owned businesses. The USA is Scotland’s second largest export partner – worth £4.56 billion a year, making up 15.9% of all international exports.’

The report also points out that Scottish exports to Canada are worth £470 million and that the USA is Scotland’s top source of inward investment with 36% of our inward investment projects.

https://news.gov.scot/news/economy-secretary-visits-us-and-canada