On the 31st of March, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) led a trade mission to New York – building on the momentum of last year’s visit under the Scottish Government’s A Trading Nation strategy. With the USA being Scotland’s biggest trading and investment partner, this mission focused on fostering lasting partnerships and securing new pathways for Scottish businesses to scale internationally.
Led in partnership with Glasgow and Moray Chambers of Commerce, the delegation visit coincided with Tartan Week – a globally recognised celebration of Scottish heritage. The focus however, extended far beyond culture, spotlighting the power of international trade, with particular emphasis on boosting exports and promoting Scottish SMEs on the world stage.
Leveraging the global reach of the Chambers of Commerce network, our delegates engaged in high-level conversations with industry leaders, investors and government officials, ensuring Scottish businesses are well-positioned to attract investment and expand their global footprint.
Key meetings included engagements with the US Chamber of Commerce, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, US Council for International Business and BritishAmerican Business. These strategic discussions offered invaluable insights into U.S. market dynamics and reinforced opportunities for deeper chamber-to-chamber collaboration.
Dr. Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, emphasised the mission’s strategic importance: “Scotland’s participation in Tartan Week is more than a cultural celebration; it’s a strategic endeavour to position Scottish businesses at the forefront of the global stage. This trade mission exemplifies our proactive approach to identifying new market opportunities, drive innovation, attract investment and foster international partnerships that will propel Scotland’s economy forward.”
First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, also expressed support for the Trade Mission: “Scotland is one of the best places in the world to invest and we already enjoy strong economic links with the US, our largest inward investor and second largest export market.
“Tartan Week provides an opportunity to showcase business opportunities in both countries. I welcome the Scottish Chambers Network’s proactive approach to identifying new exporting opportunities for Scottish companies and I look forward to supporting that mission.”
The SCC has invested in building this important economic partnership with our market presence and participation in the world-renowned Tartan Week and surrounding activities providing a platform to showcase Scotland’s investment opportunities.
