The Cabinet Secretary for
Culture, Tourism and External Affairs (Fiona
Hyslop):...I will focus now on our wider international
priorities. As Scotland's ambitions continue to grow, so does the
importance of our country's international reputation and the need
to work with others to contribute to the success of the global
community. To enhance Scotland's reputation as a place to work,
live, invest, study and visit, the Scottish Government and its
key partners are working together to offer a coherent and
compelling picture of modern Scotland to the world. We will
continue to focus on our priority countries ”the United States,
Canada, China, India and Pakistan” and to increase our
engagement with Japan.
Last month, the Deputy First Minister
visited India, accompanied by 11 principals and
vice-principals from Scottish universities and one college, to
explore academic collaboration and investment from Indiainto Scotland. India celebrated 70 years of independence
in 2017 ”it was an important year for India. The Deputy First Minister addressed
more than 2,000 members of Scotland's Indian community at Murrayfield for the
independence day celebrations in August, as well as hosting key
international investors to boost the partnership between Scotland
and India. During the UK-India year of cultural exchange, we also
saw no fewer than 13 Scotland-India collaborations taking place
in India and across Scotland...
(Mid Scotland and Fife)
(Green):...A UK-India trade deal, if negotiated in
private, could spell disaster for the production of generic
medicines that are low cost and accessible to those who live in
poverty globally. For decades, rich countries have attempted to
push new intellectual property laws on to India to protect the monopolies of
big pharmaceutical corporations. The impact of higher prices on
the fight against tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cancer could be
devastating...
(Edinburgh Western)
(LD):...In accepting that approach, we must
be absolutely clear about what standards we expect countries to
meet before we consider working with them as partners. For
instance, in respect of emerging economies, what political or
human rights hurdles would we expect Indonesia ”or, for that
matter, any of the next wave of global economic super powers in
the tier below Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa ” to clear
before it could be added to the Scottish Government's list of
countries for doing business with? I would be grateful if the
cabinet secretary could address that in her closing remarks and
set out the thresholds that she expects such countries to
meet...
(Hamilton, Larkhall and
Stonehouse)
(SNP): Kenneth
White, on reviewing Billy Kay's book "The Scottish World" says:
"While others have questioned the
self-confidence of the Scots, Kay has travelled the world from
Bangkok to Brazil, Warsaw to Waikiki, and found ringing
endorsements for the integrity and intellect, the poetry and
passion of the Scottish people in every country he has
visited.
He expands people's view of Scotland by
relating remarkable stories of the wealthy Scottish merchant
community in Gdansk; of national geniuses of Scots
descent, such as Lermontov in Russia and Grieg in Norway; of an
American Civil War blamed on Sir Walter Scott and initiated in
the St Andrews Society of Charleston; of inspirational
missionaries in Calabar and Budapest; of Scotch
Professors establishing football in soccer strongholds like
Barcelona and Sao Paulo; of pioneers like Sandeman and Cockburn
and the Scottish roots of many of the great wines of Europe; and
of our amazing involvement in liberation movements in Malawi,
Chile, Peru, Greece, Corsica and India."
(Ettrick, Roxburgh and
Berwickshire) (Con): Scotland is an
established world leader in certain sectors. I am pleased that
mentioned the Scotch whisky
industry, which is the most prominent sector and is likely to
grow at an incredible rate. Post-Brexit, Scotch whisky will be
able to infiltrate and reap the rewards of international markets
such as India...
...A few of the relationships that I mentioned have fallen by the
wayside, and it is encouraging to see the renewed effort to
establish and grow them. Japan, for example, is an incredible
country that shares our love of whisky. Such bonds can be
encouraged and explored. The cabinet secretary reminded us that
the Deputy First Minister visited India and hosted key international
investors in order to promote Scottish-Indian collaboration, and we look forward to
further engagement...
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