Dubai: Scottish exports have grown to £1.5 billion (Dh8.14 billion) in the Middle East, according to the most recent Global Connections Survey from Scottish Development International (SDI), the Scottish government’s investment and business development agency.
The UAE remains the largest market in the region, accounting for £605 million of Scottish exports, up 22 per cent from the prior year in 2012.
The GCC’s economic growth and modest inflation, combined with its broad-based commitment to helping companies to conduct business in the region, have contributed and resulted in increased figures of exports from Scotland to the Middle East. This was driven primarily by food and drink, energy, business and financial services, along with the metals, metal goods and mechanical engineering sectors.
“Trade figures clearly show that the Middle East has remained a key market for Scottish companies, with food and drink being a particular success story, to a growing demand on energy, education and financial services in this region, particularly the UAE doubling its import numbers compared to larger markets in the region,” Tom Marchbanks, SDI’s regional manager for the Middle East, said.
“Scotland has always provided an immense pool of talent that has spawned world leading products and services across the globe. The Middle East and especially Dubai has a vast demand for quality products and services. We witnessed Scottish food and drink companies launching new products at Gulfood exhibition in Dubai last month, which clearly demonstrates an increasing appetite in the Middle East market. Also, with significant money being invested in the education sector in the region, this presents fantastic opportunities for Scottish education suppliers,” he added.
“We are aware of the competition for inward investment, and we continue to increase our resources in new and emerging markets so that we can respond to global opportunities.”
The Middle East is considered as a priority market for Scotland. Over the past few years, Scotland has participated in multiple visits with Scottish Ministerial and senior SDI teams visiting the GCC to be part of major exhibitions and conferences. This has resulted in a number of new deals and partnerships between Scottish and Middle Eastern companies.
