伊人直播

International Trade Minister George Hollingbery will today (Wednesday 5 September) urge people across Scotland to take part in four consultations on the UK鈥檚 future trading relationships during a meeting with businesses in Edinburgh.

Exports of goods to the US, Australia, New Zealand and the Trans Pacific Partnership countries were worth 拢6 billion for Scotland last year and accounted for 拢1 in every 拢5 of Scottish goods exports.

It is crucial that the Scottish people have their say about how the UK should capitalise on new opportunities to forge trading relationships with the rest of the world as we leave the European Union.

As part of this process, the Minister will today open a roundtable event in Edinburgh in partnership with the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) to seek the views of Scottish businesses, business groups and NGOs.

Trade Policy Minister George Hollingbery said:

鈥淔or the first time in over 40 years we will be able to determine the terms of our trade. That means new trade agreements with our key partners, as well as putting the UK at the heart of the world鈥檚 fastest growing regions such as Asia.

鈥淲e are committed to forging new trading relationships that create jobs, boost our vital industries and benefit consumers across the whole of the UK. I am delighted to visit Edinburgh today, urging people across Scotland to seize the opportunities in front of them and make their voices heard. So please visit consultations.trade.gov.uk to take part.

鈥淣ow is the time for everyone to get around the table to have a constructive debate that put the needs of the Scottish people first.鈥�

Matt Lancashire, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at SCDI, said:

鈥淪CDI welcomes the opportunity to facilitate this important consultation between the Minister for Trade Policy and our members on Future Trade Agreements.

鈥淚t is important that Scottish businesses and civic organisations have the opportunity to input into UK trade priorities for key markets, to support inclusive economic growth across Scotland.

鈥淲e will be encouraging our wider membership and key stakeholders to respond to the online consultations to ensure their views are heard.鈥�

Martin Bell, Deputy Director for Trade at the Scotch Whisky Association said:

鈥淎ccounting for a fifth of all UK food and drink exports, the Scotch Whisky industry welcomes the opportunity to share our priorities for future UK trade negotiations with these key trading partners.

鈥淲e also believe that the UK potentially joining CPTPP would give Scottish exporters access to the benefits of a high quality, 鈥榮tate of the art鈥� trade agreement covering 11 growing economies.

鈥淐ommitment to open markets is particularly important at a time when the trade liberalisation that has enabled Scotch to deliver jobs and growth over many years is coming under threat.鈥�

The consultations

Today鈥檚 roundtable is the first of 12 consultation roundtables held throughout the UK to seeks views from interested parties as we deliver an approach that works for the whole of the UK.

Members of the public can as part of the online consultations which are open until 26 October and last for a total of 14 weeks, which is two weeks longer than the European Union鈥檚 consultations on new free trade agreements.

Scottish exports

Exports of Scottish goods last year were worth 拢28.7 billion and grew faster than the rest of the UK, up by 19% on 2016. The export of Scottish services was worth an additional 拢15.7 billion in 2015, the latest year in which data is available.

More than one fifth of Scottish goods exports 鈥� 拢6 billion worth 鈥� are covered by the consultations, with the USA being Scotland鈥檚 second biggest market accounting for 12% (拢3.4 billion) of goods by value and the CPTPP countries accounting for a further 9% (拢2.6 billion) of goods by value.

Notes to editors

• The consultations on the UK鈥檚 future trading relationships with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the CPTPP can be completed online until 26 October:

• The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) is Scotland鈥檚 Economic and Social Forum. They are an independent membership network representing a cross-section of the private, public and social economy sectors with an aim of influencing the agenda to ensure long-term sustainable economic growth and flourishing communities, everywhere in Scotland. @SCDInews

Further information

• Contact the DIT Media Team on 020 7215 2000
• Follow us: