The Scottish business community has been urged to put aside the UK’s Brexit negotiations and “take the initiative” in boosting overseas trade links.
Speaking at her last annual business address dinner as chairman of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Nora Senior told guests including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that the creation of a “unique Scottish model” of international business-to-business outreach capable of withstanding any Brexit-related changes to trade agreements is vital.
Ms Senior urged Scottish firms to be “more vocal” in setting out their post-Brexit priorities and said the exit from the EU should be viewed as an opportunity to grow exports, strengthen trading relationships and address the “chronic underperformance” of the economy north of the border relative to the wider UK.
“We have to take the initiative,” she said.
“Our future as a trading nation now depends on business and government working together to answer some of the tough questions about how best to reimagine, rebuild and deepen our business, cultural, social and economic relationships around the globe.
“The is the perfect time to look at a unique Scottish model – a public and private sector working together, creating stronger links between Scotland and our overseas trading partners.”
