More than 40 Scottish entities to participate

dubai — As business links between Scotland and the Middle East continue to grow across a number of core sectors, Scotland has sent its biggest delegation to date to the Adipec exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

With Scottish oil and gas supply chain exports to the Middle East now accounting for $710 million (£457m), having risen by 82 per cent since 2010, Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Minister for External Affairs and International Development, will head a Scottish delegation comprising some of the country’s most dynamic and innovative companies and higher education institutions working in the oil and gas and associated education sectors.

Oil and gas is one of the most important sectors for the Scottish economy. It supports around 200,000 jobs, contributes around $40 billion to Scottish GDP and the potential whole sale value of remaining reserves is estimated at around $2.4 trillion.

Based on a 2010-11 to 2011-12 comparative from the Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, supply chain sales to the UAE rose from $190 million to $196 million. In addition to its exports, Scotland remains an

Scotland has a wealth of expertise available to boost business

Humza Yousaf

outstanding location for investment into its oil and gas industry. Middle Eastern investors have been active in the Scottish market for a number of years and Scotland continues to offer Middle East investors a range of opportunities.

Yousaf will be attending the Adipec for the first time. As Scotland’s first Muslim Minister and the youngest person to hold a ministerial post, Yousaf will participate in a session on developing a global energy workforce.

“The conference session’s focus on growth is key and Scotland has a wealth of expertise available to boost business,” he said.