Update 9 June

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Chambers of Commerce head Liz Cameron have signed an agreement aimed at driving overseas trade.

The Brand Scotland collaboration will be supported by a UK Government grant of up to £100,000 for 2025/26 aimed at promoting Scottish business exports and attracting foreign direct investment.

It will include a series of trade missions showcasing Scottish businesses globally and was signed at the UK Government’s Queen Elizabeth HQ in Edinburgh.

A group of 16 Scottish female entrepreneurs, led by Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill and the Chambers will meet Spanish entrepreneurs, business leaders and politicians in Spain on Monday following the recent UK-EU deal. It will tackle the Scottish gender export gap and encourage Spanish investment into Scotland.

Women from Scotland’s world class food and drink, tech, manufacturing, energy, tourism, travel, legal services, consultancy, marketing and cosmetic sectors are on the mission.

The two day trade mission comes after Minister McNeill hosted a gathering of female business leaders from across Scotland in Edinburgh in May to identify and tackle export challenges they face. 

Spain is the UK’s seventh largest trading partner (2024) and Scotland’s 10th with total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) being £64.6 billion, while the UK is the number one European destination for Spanish investment (€83bn stock).

Last year Scotland’s goods exports to Spain reached £0.7bn, with food and drink leading the way at over £212 million. Most recent figures show that Spain was the number six export destination for Scotch whisky, with sales worth £196m in 2024. Spain is also among the most valuable destinations for Scottish seafood exports, including a top 20 destination for Scottish salmon exports.

Mr Murray said: “This agreement will help give Scotland a global platform to sell everything our brilliant country has to offer – from whisky and seafood to our world class services.

“The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks is a huge opportunity for Scotland’s economy – with the most populous country in the world, the richest country in the world and our most important market.

“This partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce will create valuable opportunities for Scottish firms and help kickstart economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

“I have already been to Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States to bang the drum for Scotland and with this partnership we will take businesses to even more markets. The Scotland Office will be Scotland’s window to the world.”

Ms Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Delivering impactful trade missions that will sell Brand Scotland and our innovative and dynamic businesses will strengthen our global presence.

“This partnership with the Scotland Office is vital for economic growth and will help more businesses trade internationally and encourage more inward investment.

“The world wants our quality products and services and this significant investment in Brand Scotland will create even more opportunities to sell our nation internationally.

“Our businesses continue to successfully engage with SCC overseas missions and now by combining forces between SCC and the Scotland Office, we can drive our economy further by providing valuable platforms and alliances for more exporters to sell their fantastic products and services to new global markets.”

Founder & CEO of Greenock-based PG Paper Dr Poonam Gupta said: “At PG Paper, international trade is the backbone of our business. We have built a multi-million pound business by connecting with over 60 countries.

“This partnership between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office sends a clear message: Scotland is ambitious, outward-looking, and ready to lead.

“The Scotland Office initiative will help businesses like ours expand our international reach, forge high-value connections, and drive economic impact both at home and abroad. This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative action Scotland needs to accelerate exports and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

CEO of Aberdeen-based PCL Group Dr Jeanette Forbes, said:  “As a global IT and energy tech company operating in over 27 countries, we know first-hand how critical international trade is to business growth and innovation.

“Trade missions are strategic enablers that unlock new markets, foster long-term relationships, and elevate Scotland’s global standing.

“The collaboration between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office is exactly the type of public-private partnership needed to amplify Scotland’s voice on the world stage and grow our economies.”

Those attending the trade mission to Spain are:

·  Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Director & Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

·  Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE, CEO, PCL Group

·  Dr Poonam Gupta OBE, CEO & Founder, PG Paper Company

·  Arjumand Ara Sheikh, Principal Solicitor and Associate CIPD, Strand Solicitors

·  Elaine Borland, Owner, Blowin’Free

·  Beth Wright, Co-Founder, HCW Consulting Partners

·  Becky Hain, Co-Founder, HCW Consulting Partners

·  Katie Cameron, Co-Founder, HCW Consulting Partners

·  Sophie Rankine, Managing Director, Sophie Gets Social

·  Lucy Harper, Head of Public Affairs, Lumo

·  Shona Cowan, Director, Go-You

·  Rebecca Wilson, Owner, Bec Wilson Creative

·  Arabella Harvey, Founder & CEO, Raven Botanicals

·  Amber Knight, Director, MacNeil Shellfish

·  Libby McQuarrie, Commercial Executive, MacNeil Shellfish

·  Rosalind Wardley-Smith, International & Operations Executive Scottish Chambers of Commerce