Technology, digital and media

In 2018, technology, digital and media made up:

• 9.8% of Scotland’s international exports (£3,300 million)
• 6.5 % of Scotland’s UK exports (£3,310 million

Technology, digital and media covers:

• the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products
• computer programming and consultancy
• information technology (IT) and telecommunications
• media

How Scotland’s technology, digital and media exports have changed since 2002

Between 2002 and 2018 Scotland’s technology, digital and media exports:

• decreased internationally from £5.9 billion to £3.3 billion
• increased to the rest of the UK from £2.3 billion to £3.3 billion

Where we can sell more

A Trading Nation used evidence to work out where Scotland could sell the most in future.

This evidence shows where:

• there’s a large or growing demand for imports
• Scotland’s exporting less than other, similar countries

Countries where there’s a large or growing demand for digital, technology and media imports

• United States of America
• Germany
• China
• Japan
• Mexico
• Singapore
• South Korea

Where Scotland’s currently exporting less than similar countries

• United States of America
• Germany
• France
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Norway
• Ireland
• Japan
• Australia
• India

What we're going to do

To help technology, digital and media exports, we’ll:

• work with industry bodies and the enterprise agencies to create market development plans for selected sub-sectors and countries
• improve access to high quality graduates and technical talent
• make sure businesses can still get skilled overseas employees (post-EU exit)
• help businesses to get finance for export growth plans
• find GlobalScots or Trade Envoys who can help businesses with advice, support or introductions

You can find more information on Scotland’s technology, digital and media sector in A Trading Nation.