The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network is committed to expanding and growing the business and economic partnership between Scotland and USA, aligned with Scottish Government’s A Trading Nation strategy. The relationship between Scotland and the United States is an enduring one spanning centuries. The USA is Scotland’s biggest trading and investment partner with annual exports worth up to £6bn in recent years, with the engineering and advanced manufacturing, food and drink, financial and business services; technology, digital and media; and the energy sectors all performing strongly.
Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron CBE excited to build links and partnerships in New York and beyond commented on the visit coinciding with the world renowned Tartan Week activities: “I’m delighted the visit has aligned with Tartan Week which showcases Scotland’s globally enviable cultural and heritage assets and our talented Diaspora communities in USA.
“Both our culture and our heritage inspire many Americans to visit Scotland – every year we welcome more than 630,000 US visitors. Similarly, more than 350,000 Scots visit the USA every year. Tartan Week is an immense opportunity to display our culture and attract more Americans to visit Scotland in the future.”
For these reasons, Scottish Chambers of Commerce has invested in building this important economic partnership. Our in-market presence and participation in the world-renowned Tartan Week activities has boosted our ability to share Scotland’s exporting potential, showcase new inward investment opportunities and expand on our shared cultural heritage.
The programme included a mix of business meetings alongside participation in the world renowned Tartan Week activities and annual Parade on April 6th. During the visit, SCC meet with a wide range of stakeholders including the US Department of Commerce, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, the New York City Partnership and His Majesty’s Consul General to the USA.
The first meeting on the agenda was with the Director of the US Department of Commerce – Carmela Mammas. The department has over 2,200 employees and are positioned in more than 100 U.S cities and 80 international markets, therefore it was an excellent opportunity for SCC to build key links and connections with in-market experts. SCC look forward to exploring this relationship and following up with Carmela and her team to organise market briefings and support opportunities for Scottish business for follow-up visits. In the evening, SCC joined the Scotland Food & Drink Showcase at Edrington which showcased great Scottish brands including The Macallan, Nairn’s Oatcakes, Tunnocks, Arran Aromatics, Angels’ Share Glass and many more presenting Scotland’s finest products to US buyers and distributors. It was also special to see Scotland’s national chef, Gary Maclean, City of Glasgow College, craft an exceptional menu, delivering an extraordinary culinary experience for potential investors and partners.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce were delighted to participate in the UK Government Energy Investment Roundtable with large US companies to discuss energy transition. We shared key messages including, Scotland’s leadership in driving a net zero economy that works for all, Scotland is home to the world’s first tidal array, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm and Europe’s largest hydrogen-fuelled bus fleet and the circular economy. The SCC shared key investments opportunities such as securing investment in Aberdeen Hydrogen for a transformative hydrogen infrastructure development programme to turn Aberdeen city green. Further investment opportunities include investment in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) which is the perfect location for advanced and high-value manufacturers; Avondale/NPL have secured full planning consent for the development of an energy-from-waste facility on land adjacent to an existing landfill site in Falkirk and lastly the Clyde Gateway – Scotland’s first Green Regeneration Innovation District, located in the heart of the Glasgow city region, offers development opportunities with genuine net zero ambitions. SCC look forward to coordinating future opportunities directly with SDI to create pipeline of contacts/leads for inward investment opportunities.
We had the pleasure of meeting with the American-Scotland Foundation to help enhance the Scotland – USA partnership and boost business ties. The American-Scottish Foundations was established in 1956 as a bridge between Scotland and the United States. The American Scottish Foundation seeks to strengthen and support the future of the Scottish American community, its heritage and cultural legal through social, cultural, education, and business activities. It was great to join them for a special and inspiring Observance event at the famous Bryant Park. The event included live performances from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, readings from a Senate Resolution and Presidential Decree recognising Tartan Day, and a recitation of excerpts from the Declaration of Arbroath.
A particularly proud moment during our time in the US was the opportunity to showcase and represent Scottish business and Scotland at the Annual Tartan Day Parade in New York City led by Emmy and BAFTA award-winning Scottish actor Dougray Scott. We were also proud to be alongside UK Government Scotland, The Scottish Government in the USA, Sandy Begbie CBE FRSE, Russell Dalgleish, Dr Paul Little CBE, Walker’s Shortbread Inc, James Miller FRSE, Andrea Nolan and many many more with over 15,000 people who came out to the streets of New York to join the celebration of the Scottish-American relationship! A truly once in a life-time experience, on a stage like no other to showcase Scotland’s entrepreneurship, culture, heritage, tourism, education and all that we offer to the world. The parade was a celebration of the many Scottish-American groups and societies that have helped to strengthen the partnership between Scotland the USA.
One of the last stops for the Scottish Chamber of Commerce Network was with the US Chamber in Washington DC and connect with fellow Chamber colleague Zach Helzer. The US Chamber is the largest lobbying business network in the United States with three-million-member companies and 2,800 state and local Chambers of Commerce. In addition to this, the US Chamber also has an outstanding overseas network of over 100 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. The US Chamber is an exemplar at winning for business through actively engaging with its members, setting ambitious goals and developing meaningful policy recommendations for government. We look forward to future collaboration with the US Chambers and help boost business connections for our members.
To finish our time in New York, we were pleased to meet with Mark Jaffe, President and CEO of Greater New York Chamber. The Greater New York Chamber represents 30,000 businesses and civic leaders comprising of entrepreneurs, small, medium size, major and international corporations, public officials, local, city, state and federal agencies, and consulates. SCC shared and highlighted the ambitious agenda of the SCC Network in promoting and boosting international trade across and with the US market, with specific focus on SCC’s partnership with Scottish Government as well as expanding connections for businesses in Scotland the USA.
To round-off the Scottish Chambers of Commerce had the honour of meeting with the President of the White House Historical Association, Stewart McLaurin who is also a GlobalScot. The White House Historical Association is a private, nonprofit, educational organisation which seeks to help the White House collect and exhibit the very best artefacts of American history and culture. Our engagements with the association explored collaborations to promote culture and historical links between Scotland and USA with a specific focus on Washington DC. As the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network represents many museums and cultural institutions, this presented the opportunities to deepen understanding of opportunities in the USA will be explored.
Reflecting on the visit, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce were extremely proud to fly the flag for Scotland alongside so many incredible Scottish companies. We look forward to collaborating with our connections in the USA boosting business opportunities for both American and Scottish businesses, strengthening the relationship between the two nations.
