New support offered for locked-down Scots firms with global ambitions

Business support organisation Elevator is looking to nurture Scottish firms’ global growth ambitions after landing a “significant” contract award from Scottish Development International (SDI).

Professor Gary McEwan is the CEO of Elevator. Picture: Michal Wachucik

The body will support the international arm of the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise with its International e-Trade Framework, delivering worldwide training and one-to-one advice to businesses across Scotland who aspire to trade internationally.

In addition, the support organisation will run networking events to coordinate international business support initiatives and provide business-to-business networking opportunities.

The contract will run for two years with a possible extension for a further two years.

Elevator chief executive Gary McEwan said: “This contract is of great strategic importance to us. It comes at an opportune time and signifies our strong commitment to support businesses as they look to identify new opportunities in this fast-growing sector.”

Neil Francis, director of global trade at SDI, added: “International trade and investment will play an integral role in our efforts to reset and restart Scotland’s economy following the impact of Covid-19.

“There has been an exponential growth in the e-commerce sector during the period of lockdown. This trend is likely to continue, so we need to support companies across Scotland develop their digital capabilities to ensure they can take advantage of future online trading opportunities.”

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