Deputy First Minister will today (Thursday) join 30
Scottish businesses showcasing their products at a St Andrew's
Day trade and investment event in Paris.
Representatives of the food and drink sector, textiles and
fashion will be in the spotlight at the celebration in the
British Embassy, co-hosted by Ms Forbes, with potential investors
among more than 400 guests.
Figures show France imported more than £1.1 billion of food and
drink and over £71 million of textiles from Scotland last year.
The St Andrew's Day showcase comes days after the Scottish
Government set out a range of new steps to make it as simple as
possible to invest in Scotland. The Deputy First Minister, who
has a new cross-portfolio role as Investment Champion, will also
meet French offshore wind supply-chain leaders to discuss new
opportunities in the sector.
Ms Forbes said:
“Whether it's our world-renowned food and drink sector or the
opportunity to invest in our vast potential as a renewables
powerhouse, Scotland is open for business.
“Our friendship with France goes back centuries and it is now a
significant economic partner, as Scotland's number one
international export market in Europe.
“Increasing the level of private investment is essential to our
ambitions for Scotland – for economic growth, tackling climate
change, eradicating child poverty and improving public services.”
Background
The St Andrew's Day reception will be co-hosted by the Deputy
First Minister and Dame Menna Rawlings, the UK Ambassador to
France.
The firms exhibiting are Blackthorn Salt; Deans of
Huntly; Innis & Gunn; J K Thomson;
Lactalis - Orkney Cheddar; Label Rouge Salmon; Macduff Shellfish;
Matugga; Millers of Speyside; Nc'Nean; RAER Alliance; Scotbeef;
Secret Garden Distillery; St Andrew's Farmhouse Cheese Company;
The Drinks Bakery; The Lost Distillery Company; Alexander
Manufacturing; Anta; Araminta Campbell; Bute Fabrics; Eribe;
Halley Stevenson; Harris Tweed Hebrides; Holland & Sherry;
Lochcarron; MacNaughton's; Robert Mackie; Walker Slater;
Johnstons of Elgin; Lyle & Scott.
The event is co-organised by Scottish Enterprise and Scottish
Development International.
