50 Scottish businesses received support on China trade mission

Monday 03 Aug 2015 @ 16:37
Scottish Government

Scottish fashion to show in Hong Kong.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's innovation trade mission to China helped support more than 50 Scottish businesses, it was confirmed yesterday.

Across a five day trip to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the First Minister has promoted innovation in business in the low carbon, energy, education, food and drink, technology and textiles sectors.

The business highlights of the trip include:

Ten companies securing partnerships worth a total of £55 million over three years.

At least 82 high value jobs in Scotland and 24 jobs in China.

Research exchange partnerships with five Scottish Universities.

Discussions with three major oil firms on North Sea innovation.

While in Hong Kong, the First Minister also hosted a reception for the fashion industry to promote Scottish fashion designers.

The Scottish fashion and textiles industry employs 8,500 people and has a turnover of £835 million per year.

Wearing a dress by Scottish designer Holly Fulton, the First Minister announced that promising Scottish fashion designers and textiles companies will now have the chance to apply to showcase their creations in Hong Kong in 2016.

The showcase will be part of Scotland Re:Designed (SRD), which supports designers and makers to meet industry, investors and new customers.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

"Innovation is key to capitalising on the growing Chinese economy and I wanted to show what we as a country can offer.

"I was proud to be able the showcase the work of 50 Scottish companies during my time in China.

"We have had huge success with ten Scottish companies securing partnerships worth £55 million. We have proven that Scotland is definitely open for business.

"From energy to education, Scotland can offer exciting new innovation collaborations that deliver a boost in business growth for both countries.

“It is important we keep the profile of Scottish innovation high and I am excited to announce that next year Re:Designed will be bringing Scottish designers to Hong Kong. This is a great opportunity to bring attention to the strength of Scottish design and textiles talent, as well as a chance to build new creative partnerships within the influential Hong Kong fashion industry.”

Notes To Editors

Pictures will be available at www.flickr.com/firstministerofscotland

Designers and manufacturers from across Scotland will have the chance to apply to be part of the collective from September 2015. Applicants can register their interest at www.scotlandredesigned.com/hongkong

Glasgow University and Glasgow School of Art signed agreements with Chinese universities to develop joint teaching programmes.

Edinburgh University and Napier University agreed to work with the Hong Kong Science Park to help promote low carbon innovation.

Edinburgh University and Dundee University partnered with Chinese healthcare company x to support the training of clinicians across China.

Scotland Re:Designed focuses on creating new collaborations, achieving short and long term sales orders, opening PR opportunities and boosting brand profiles for our designers and the sector in general.

Applicants will be judged against strict criteria by the Scotland ReDesigned judging panel to be announced in September.

Previous panellists and mentors include project founder Chris Hunt, Susanne Tide-Frater (Creative Director at Victoria Beckham and Farfetch.com), Simon Carter (Simon Carter), Orsola de Castro (ethical fashion campaigner & founder of Fashion Revolution)

The First Minister has been in China and Hong Kong this week to promote Scottish innovation with one of the world’s largest economies as part of a trade visit.

During the visit, the First Minister has undertaken a series of high profile business engagements to promote Scottish business in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, including hosting an ‘innovation showcase’ for Scottish companies to meet with Chinese investors, as well as a series of cultural and educational engagements.

Details of the First Minister’s trip are available at www.firstminister.gov.scot and @scotgovfm

Details of the previous announcements:

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

Share this article

WIREDGOV