The World Cup is an opportunity to showcase what Scotland has to
offer as a place to live, work, study, do business and visit,
First Minister has said.
The First Minister will be in Boston to undertake a series of
engagements with business leaders and investors, before joining
celebrations to mark Scotland's men's national football team's
return to the World Cup, ahead of the match on Saturday. Mr
Swinney will attend the Scotland v Haiti game at the invitation
of FIFA, alongside a Scottish Football Association delegation.
A new US Export Plan has also been published to provide guidance
for Scottish businesses to navigate US regulations, market
competition and trade barriers, with five priority states
offering the best potential for growing sales of Scotland's eight
key export sectors.
First Minister said:
To our men's national team, I know I speak for everyone when I
say Scotland could not be prouder and the country is right behind
you this weekend, and this summer.
This is a profound moment of national joy. Our long awaited, and
much celebrated, return to the World Cup is an opportunity to
showcase what Scotland has to offer as a place to live, work,
study, do business and visit.
While I am in the United States, I will be meeting with business
leaders and investors to strengthen existing ties and help foster
new opportunities to secure further international investment into
Scotland.
Our new US Export plan will also make it easier for Scottish
businesses to navigate the US market, setting out where the right
customers are, what they are looking for and how to reach them.
As we head into this weekend, I want to remind everyone to enjoy
themselves responsibly and safely. For those lucky enough to
travel to the US, please remember to check and follow FCDO
advice.
Come on Scotland. The world is watching. Let's make history.
ENDS
Background
The First Minister has been invited by FIFA to attend the
Scotland v Haiti match as part of a delegation with the Scottish
Football Association.
The US export plan [to be published on Friday 12 June]
produced for the Scottish Government by advisors Grant Thornton,
provides a comprehensive assessment of where and why to focus
efforts to grow Scottish exports in the US.
DFM kicks off Scotland's Summer
of Sport - gov.scot
Notes to Editors
Key points of interest from the First Minister's programme will
be outlined in an operational note detailing media logistics
while in Boston.
The Minister for Sport, , will attend the Scotland v
Brazil match to represent the Scottish Government.
The First Minister has given the Cabinet Secretary for Economy,
Tourism and Transport, , and the Minister for
Community Care, , permission to attend
matches at the World Cup in a personal capacity.
As is usual practice, the costs of the official engagements for
the First Minister and Ms Todd will be made available in due
course, when they have been finalised.
