News story

Moore to voice Scottish interests in US and Canada

The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore will travel to the USA and Canada next week (10-12 Dec) on a series of visits and meetings to promote Scotland as part of the UK and strengthen relationship with two key trade and export markets.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
The Scotland Office

The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore will travel to the USA and Canada next week (10-12 Dec) on a series of visits and meetings to promote Scotland as part of the UK and strengthen relationship with two key trade and export markets.

He will visit Washington DC, Ottawa and Montreal where he will meet companies and business organisations as well as figures from commerce and politics in the USA and Canada.

On the US leg, Mr Moore will meet the British-American Business Association and visit companies in the area which are doing business with Scotland.

The Minister will also give a speech at Georgetown University on the subject of Scotland’s place in the world

In Ottawa the Minister will discuss trade and export at a range of meetings, while in Montreal he will meet the British Quebec Business Coalition and leading firms.

Scottish exports to Canada were around £380m last year, with £160m in the first half of 2012. Whisky is the main export, worth around £38m.

Michael Moore said:

“It is more important than ever that we make Scotland¿s case across the world and promote our strengths to key markets and strengthen trade. The USA and Canada are key to our export strategy and I will be making the case for Scotland to business people and parliamentarians in both countries.

“There is a huge amount of interest in Scotland’s future following the referendum agreement and there are many issues to discuss with our international political and business partners. I am looking forward to having those conversations and making the case for Scotland being stronger on the world stage as part of the UK - one of the most successful trading nations in history.”

Published 8 December 2012