Moore to fly flag for Scots firms

SCOTTISH companies are to be given a better chance to influence UK Government trade policy through the creation of a new group chaired by Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.

The UK Government said it wanted to draw on the expertise of bodies such as UK Trade and Investment, Scottish Development International and Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).

Mr Moore said many of the most important policy levers were controlled by the UK Government and Scottish firms needed a clearer voice on better regulation, international trade agreements and improving access to overseas markets.

He said: "I want to see more small and medium-sized Scottish companies trading overseas. It is vital to Scotland's future economic prospects that this happens. There is a lot of trade expertise in different parts of the UK and Scottish governments and in bodies such as SCDI.

"I think this new group can help ensure everyone is pulling in the right direction when it comes to helping Scottish firms do business overseas."