An international event showcasing Scotland as a world-leading destination for investment and business location begins in Edinburgh today.

Site-selectors, industry leaders and policy makers will spend three days addressing the latest demands from corporates and investors at the 2022 World Forum for FDI at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Scottish Development International (SDI) worked closely with event organisers to bring the event to Edinburgh, providing an opportunity to showcase Scotland as it continues to be the most attractive location in the UK outside of London for Foreign Direct Investment.

Adrian Gillespie, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “We are thrilled to welcome so many delegates from across the world to Edinburgh for the World Forum for FDI, the first time this event has been hosted in Scotland.

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“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote Scotland and for our international audience to see and hear at first-hand what we offer as a leading investment destination.  We will generate valuable global connections over the next few days and further increase Scotland’s stature as a location for inward investment.

“The combination of our world-class workforce, leading universities, supportive business environment, amazing natural resources and the unparalleled quality of life on offer here makes Scotland an incredible proposition to global companies. 

“We cannot wait to share that story, and our commitment to a values-driven approach to attract investment, to all of those attending the 2022 World Forum for FDI.”

The Forum, organised in partnership with US firm Conway Data, will feature panel discussions on sectors critical to Scotland’s economy, such as a Just Transition, Health Tech and Software/ Digital Industries, alongside conversations about global issues, such as COVID-19 and international talent attraction, and their impact on investment levels.

Senior representatives from some of the leading companies based in Scotland, including Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), Celtic Renewables, Fintech Scotland and EY will provide contributions to the event, as will Scottish Government Trade Minister Ivan McKee, who will open the forum.

Mr McKee said: “Scotland’s economic potential is huge, and as set out in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation, we want to build on that potential to make a world-class entrepreneurial nation, encouraging entrepreneurial activity in every sector of our economy.

“Foreign direct investment is a key driver for economic growth, creating a more open and outward facing economy. 

“This Forum provides a unique opportunity to ensure Scotland works with like-minded countries and investors to promote a wellbeing economy and rise to the challenge of the climate emergency.”

Also at the event, SDI will be unveiling a series of new ‘extended reality’ investment propositions to promote strategic investment sites in Scotland. 

The new proposition films will support its investment attraction strategy by allowing investors to really see for the first time what their project might look like in Scotland.

The extended reality approach combines 360-degree video footage, CGI and compelling images to create a fully immersive video experience which visually communicates the assets, talent, connections and infrastructure which will help investors to see a future in Scotland.