Press Release
6th April 2000
Strengthening business relations with the United States is an essential part of Inverclyde's push to win new global economic opportunities, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said today.
Speaking on the day Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Henry McLeish, left for the USA to take part in a trade and tourism promotion programme linked to "Tartan Day", Mr McNeil warned of the dangers of being an isolated, inward looking nation, saying:
"Inverclyde’s story is one of migration – indeed, many Scots who emigrated to America left from here. ‘Tartan Day’ is a chance to celebrate the strength of these links.
"But much more importantly, this is an exciting opportunity to focus US attention on what we can achieve together in the future. I want Government and Inverclyde business to seize this platform to showcase a Scotland in the 21st century moving ahead with confidence and ready to establish new trading links. We must be open and internationally minded. We cannot undermine ourselves by being parochial and inward looking.
"The first Scottish Parliament in 300 years gives us fresh scope to reach out across the globe.
"As a member of the Parliament’s Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, I am continuing to work to help strengthen our skills base and ensure we make more of the research expertise of our universities. We must equip Scotland with the infrastructure to thrive in the knowledge-driven economy. The international dimension is central to this project.
"’Tartan Day’ could easily be pigeon-holed as simply an exercise in sentiment. That would be a mistake. Trade promotion is about finding hooks to attract the attention of minds constantly bombarded with marketing material. Our embassy has rightly identified Tartan Day as such an opportunity. I am pleased that Henry McLeish, our industry Minister, is seeking to discuss how we can further develop this chance to bring together important players and boost trade, tourism and inward investment jobs with the Ambassador.
"As a community which has directly benefited from trade links with the US, in the shape of IBM, National Semiconductor and others, we know that the prizes are substantial. The US is the biggest single inward investor in Scotland. In the last decade, American companies have created or safeguarded over 44,000 jobs in Scotland – already this year we have announced 14 new projects, which will create over 6,300 jobs. America is our third biggest export market for manufactured goods. Our strategies on exports, tourism and manufacturing are designed to deliver more. But Government cannot act alone. The relations fostered by events like Tartan Day and the work of the Scottish North American Business Council are the routes to future rewards."
ENDS
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