Executive Summary
The USA Strategy seeks to strengthen Scotland's engagement with the USA.
Notwithstanding the extensive bilateral links already in place, Scotland's relations with the USA can be strengthened and deepened.
Given the continued economic, political, cultural and scientific importance of the USA over the coming decades, stronger bilateral engagement will be an important driver for Scotland's future prosperity. This document sets out why. It presents a straightforward, seven-point plan for what Ministers want Scotland to achieve from engagement with the USA.
The strategic objectives below set out what the Executive will be working towards, with stakeholders, over the next five years:
1. Raise the profile and understanding of Scotland in the USA
2. Expand connections between businesses in Scotland and the USA
3. Increase student flows between Scotland and the USA
4. Strengthen bilateral science links
5. Attract increased US tourism to Scotland
6. Attract US Fresh Talent to experience living and working in Scotland
7. Strengthen exchanges of best practice with US counterparts
Each of these objectives is underpinned by a specific target or indicator against which progress will be measured by 2010. Delivery of these objectives will depend on a concerted, national effort. The contribution of schools, colleges, universities, local authorities, civil society and business will be essential. The role of government in Scotland is to create the enabling environment in which Scottish-American relationships can flourish.
The USA is a vast and diverse country and Scottish resources are limited. The Executive's activity in the USA needs to be regionally prioritised. Scottish Ministers have decided to focus activities over the next five years on the following seven states, in addition to the Washington DC area in which the Scottish Affairs Office is based:
- California
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New York
- North Carolina
- Texas
Focusing activity on these seven states will not, however, preclude activity in other regions, as opportunities arise.
The annexes to this document outline some of the extensive US-Scottish links already in existence, survey current Scottish public-sector activity relating to the USA and highlight recent achievements in strengthening relations and positioning Scotland within the USA.