Shaping up for

In tumultuous times it is important Scottish businesses keep their eye on the ball

Keeping your eye on the ball is a slice of wisdom the benefits of which extend beyond the world of sport.

That advice has become as important for international trade as to any field of endeavour.

Recent tumultuous events in UK politics have seen Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon demand a fresh independence referendum out of frustration over Brexit negotiations.

Exporting is vital to the economy of these islands.

However, uncertainty over continued access to the European single market and new global trading partners has unsettled the trading landscape.

A timely call has now been made for Scottish businesses to keep their eye on the ball and not lose focus on the importance of exporting their products and services.

Nora Senior, international trade emissary of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Brexit is real, but we must use it as a springboard to grow Scotland’s exporting potential.

“The opportunities are vast and long term – but we do have to grasp them rather than watch them drift by,” she added.

Nora, who is also executive chairwoman of UK Regions & Ireland for public relations firm Weber Shandwick, stated: “We are working in extraordinary times and, despite the scale of constitutional debate, businesses in Scotland should not lose sight of the trade opportunities which are present.

“Trade – particularly international trade – will still continue as part of daily life.

“This is true even as the politicians slug out the detail of triggering Article 50 and the UK Government focuses on formalising policy objectives on its desired future trading relationship with the EU, looking at tariff barriers, subsidies, services, customs procedures, regulatory equivalence and the role of migration.”

There are businesses who say exporting is not for them as they don’t have the right product, service or procedures.

Local chambers of commerce can help them overcome such obstacles, as she said exporting is more a matter of confidence. “I have long been a passionate voice for the need for more businesses to expand their horizons into overseas markets.

“Each year, Scotland sells around £12 billion of goods and services to EU nations, around 43% of our international exports by value.

“We also sell over £16bn of products to non-EU countries across the world – a figure which has grown by 84% since 2002.”

Exporting is not just for Scotland’s mega food, drink and energy companies, as she believed small and medium sized firms are ideally placed to get their goods and skills into new markets.

“I have worked with health insurance providers going into Africa, software designers in Lithuania, creative design companies working in Brazil and hairstylists and lifestyle product producers who want to tap into China’s enormous market.

“Other key industries include chemical manufacturing, computer products, finance and other forms of equipment.”

The trade emissary said a priority for businesses was a detailed understanding of future trading arrangements with the EU once the UK has withdrawn.

“As a trading nation, Scotland needs to broaden its horizons beyond the EU and establish new and favourable trading relationships the world over,” she said.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce network is working hard to ease the path to exporting so more Scottish businesses can succeed in international marketplaces.

“Trade brings wider benefits – not just to a company’s bottom line but to the wider economy and civic society,” she stressed.

“Trade tackles poverty, raises living standards and creates jobs.

“Increasing Scottish exports by 50%, would create over 100,000 new jobs,” she said.

Businesses with a broad range of markets for their goods and services tend to be more resilient, innovative and better equipped to grow.

“Such businesses are great for the Scottish economy and are creating the high-value, high-skilled jobs that our people need,” she added.

Brexit is real but we must useitasa springboard togrow Scotland’s exporting potential.

NORA SENIOR