How we'll increase exports - A Trading Nation

A Trading Nation aims to increase Scotland’s exports by:

focussing resources
making changes to strategy
making changes to policy
checking how exports perform

Focussing resources

Scotland will increase exports by focussing resources where they will have most impact.

For example, evidence shows that successful exporting countries:

focus on a limited range of products and services
sell to a limited number of countries

This is why A Trading Nation focusses on key sectors and countries.

Top 500 businesses

Scotland will also focus its resources around its top 500 exporting businesses.

Scotland currently has around 11,000 businesses who export. However, the top 500 are responsible for 80% of exports.

Increasing exports for the top 500 businesses could add £13 billion to Scotland’s economy (Gross Domestic Product), while increasing exports in the other 10,500 businesses would only add £2.9 billion.

Increasing exports for these businesses will also benefit the businesses who supply them.

Help for new exporters

All businesses in Scotland will still be able to get some help to grow their business and start exporting. This includes businesses who are new to exporting.

We’re looking at ways we can deliver this help in a different way. For example, improving the help and support available online.

Working together

A Trading Nation will also focus resources by encouraging organisations to work together on the plan’s priorities. This includes:

the Scottish Government
the enterprise agencies
agencies supporting education, tourism and specific industry sectors

By working together, it means businesses can make use of:

Scottish Development International offices in 20 countries
Scottish Government offices in Brussels and 8 other countries
Visit Scotland offices in London and Toronto

Businesses will also be able to access wider networks and trade and investment specialists across the world. A Trading Nation will use help from:

Changes to strategy and policy

A Trading Nation makes changes to strategy and policy.

These changes aim to:

raise awareness of exporting and encourage businesses to see it as an ambition
build the capacity and capabilities of businesses, so they can take up opportunities
make sure the right support is available to help businesses expand and exploit opportunities

To do this, A Trading Nation will:

improve trade promotion as well as Scotland’s overseas profile and reach
support businesses by refocussing Scottish Development International’s priorities

Improving trade promotion, profile and reach

To do this, A Trading Nation will:

expand the GlobalScot network from 600 to 2000 business people in key markets. This includes doubling to 500 people in Europe by 2020
give GlobalScot clearer 'asks' and 'offers' of support from Scottish Development International
ask leading Scottish exporters to get involved in Scotland Is Now to develop a world-class brand for Scotland
add in-market specialists in key sectors, focussed on countries with the most opportunities
continue to do all we can to increase our exports with key countries in Europe, regardless of the outcome of EU Exit

It’ll also look to increase trade promotion activity with more international missions and exhibitions. This will build on:

Scottish Development International’s current 68 global events
the Chambers of Commerce’s trade missions through their International Trade Promotion programme
major international events such as the Rugby World Cup 2019, Dubai Expo 2020 and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in China 2020

Refocussing Scottish Development International’s priorities

To do this, A Trading Nation will help Scottish Development International to:

separate into specialist divisions for exporting and attracting investments. This builds on a successful pilot in the food and drink sector
focus their resources on key countries and sectors that offer the biggest opportunities
help existing exporters sell in new countries or create new products
work with high potential, early stage businesses in industries like digital and life sciences
develop support to help more small businesses who are internationally focussed grow quickly. This includes business in the creative and technology industries
work more closely with the enterprise agencies to help more businesses export
increase the number of exporting businesses. To do this, they’ll work with the Chambers of Commerce, Business Gateway, sector leadership bodies
increase online training, advice and resources through the new enterprise agencies website
improve the skills within businesses through export qualifications and access to sales and marketing courses

It will also improve business networks by:

giving the Chambers of Commerce up to £2 million to run trade missions over 3 years (announced December 2018)
supporting the Scottish Business Network to take up trade opportunities from London

Checking how Scotland’s exports are performing

A Trading Nation aims to increase Scottish exports by £25 billion by 2029.

To understand how we’re meeting this target, we’ll track the:

overall value of exports
value of exports to particular countries
value of exports from particular sectors
value of exports from specific businesses
the number of exporters

We’ll also regularly check our actions to make sure we focus on the things that work.

Information