This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
FM celebrates Chinese New Year
08/02/2005
First Minister Jack McConnell today attended a reception in Glasgow to celebrate the Chinese New Year, where he revealed that Scottish exports to China had increased by 60 per cent in 2003.
And he outlined a programme of events to encourage more Scottish businesses to take advantage of the opportunities offered by China's growing economy.
- Workshops for businesses interested in developing joint ventures in China
- A major Scotland in China business conference (October 2005)
- A trade mission to China involving senior from among Scotland's top 100 companies.
He said: "When I visited China last October I was very impressed by the success of the Scottish companies I met in Shanghai and Beijing.
"And the latest export figures show that the scale of opportunities for Scottish companies is enormous. China's booming marketplace is an opportunity for Scotland, not a threat.
"We need to ensure that Scottish companies are equipped to make the best possible impact on this booming market, which is why we have redoubled our efforts in China as well as providing support for companies here in Scotland who are thinking about establishing a presence in China."
The Global Connections survey for 2003 shows that exports from Scotland to China have increased by more than 60% in 2003, up to £143m. There were a further £105m in exports to Hong Kong, much of which is destined for China, and combined exports to China and Hong Kong make them Scotland's 16th most important market out of over 100.
The reception, held in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow was hosted by Peter Nightingale, Chief Executive of the China-Britain Council
During his visit to China last October, the First Minister announced that Scottish Development International (SDI) was to double its Chinese operation from four to eight staff.