WIREDGOV

Scottish business leaders will gather in Edinburgh for a joint Government Brexit Roundtable, facilitated by CBI Scotland.

The objective of the session, held in partnership with the UK Government’s Scotland Office and the Scottish Government, is to provide both governments with insight from Scottish businesses in preparation for UK-EU negotiations.

The meeting was chaired by CBI Scotland Director Hugh Aitken and addressed by both Lord Dunlop, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scotland Office and Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work. Additional insight was provided by the CBI’s Head of Economic Policy, Rob Fontana-Reval.

Commenting ahead of the event, Hugh Aitken, CBI Scotland Director, yesterday said:

“Since the EU referendum the CBI has been making the case that business is a key stakeholder in the UK-EU negotiations. We need a close partnership between business and the Scottish Government, business and the UK Government, and the two Governments together.

“The issues at stake include trade, immigration, regulation, access to finance, the tax environment and more. These have huge implications for international investment in Scotland. We want Scotland to be successful, strong and prosperous, and a more attractive place for international investment. For that we need to push forward the business view on the renegotiation, to get the best settlement possible for the economy and for society.

“That’s why I am delighted to convene today’s meeting. It provided a timely opportunity for Lord Dunlop and Keith Brown to hear directly from some of Scotland’s leading businesses on their priorities. We will continue to work closely with both governments in the run-up to the triggering of Article 50 and beyond.”

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scotland Office Lord Dunlop said:

“The UK Government is working closely together with the business community to openly discuss the opportunities as well as the challenges, as we approach the negotiations to leave the European Union.

“The UK Government is listening to what people and businesses across Scotland are saying about how leaving the EU might affect them. We are working collaboratively with partners like the CBI, and the Scottish Government as Team UK, to ensure that we get the best possible deal for Scotland and the whole of the UK.

“We must face the future together as one United Kingdom. The UK is Scotland’s most important market, trading four times more with the UK than the EU. Our shared future outside the EU will be outward-looking and full of opportunities as we forge a new, confident role for ourselves in the world.”

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy Keith Brown said:

“I welcome the opportunity to discuss how Scotland is, and can remain, a great place to do business, working with business organisations, trade unions and others to maintain our economic performance and pursue new opportunities as they arise. The Scottish Government has a mandate to protect Scotland’s interests, ensure a continuing relationship with Europe and retain our Single Market membership.”