Swinney seeks GlobalScots' help

Published on Friday 19 September 2008 22:16

INTERNATIONAL business leaders have been urged to by the Scottish Government to help the country during the current financial downturn.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said Scotland must "call on all the resources at its disposal".

He made the plea to leading international business figures when he addressed the first Hong Kong conference of GlobalScots – top business figures who have links with Scotland and want to contribute to and share in its economic success.

Mr Swinney said earlier: "Scotland must call on all the resources at its disposal to ensure our economy continues to show the resilience it has up to now.

"I will be urging GlobalScots to keep doing what they do best – opening doors for Scottish companies across the world and selling our country as a great place to do business."

Meanwhile, enterprise minister Jim Mather said he would stress "Scotland is open for business" as he jetted out to the United States on a four-day trip will include a visit to the Ryder Cup golf tournament.

First Minister Alex Salmond had been scheduled to make the trip but pulled because of the merger deal between Lloyds TSB and HBOS.