The Department for International Trade has launched a dedicated Hub to provide businesses with trade support
A new Trade Hub dedicated to helping businesses in Scotland thrive and grow internationally has been launched today, providing much-needed support for thousands of companies in economically challenging times.
Based in Edinburgh’s Queen Elizabeth House, a UK government HQ opened last month which will house 3,000 civil servants from multiple departments, the UK DIT’s new Scotland Hub will provide businesses with greatly increased trade support.
Through the Trade Hub, businesses will be able to utilise the UK government’s global networks, expertise and influence, as well as world-leading credit agency, UKEF, to grow their overseas trade and build back from the impact of coronavirus. Leveraging the strength and reach of the UK government, the hub will deliver effective services for people and businesses in Scotland.
UK Government Exports Minister, Graham Stuart MP, today met with Scottish businesses and representative organisations, including FSB Scotland, NFU Scotland, the Scottish Council for Development and others, to discuss the support available for companies in the region.
UK Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP said:
UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid said:
In another first, UKEF has appointed a specialist to focus on renewable exports and to support energy transition in Scotland, further demonstrating the continued commitment to supporting energy companies across Scotland and helping them succeed abroad.
Having previously worked to strengthen the outreach of UKEF’s regional network of Export Finance Managers, Alistair McMillan takes up this new role. He will support companies that wish to export renewables as well as those wishing transition from other forms of energy, using his 25 years of experience in the international finance and trade arenas.
The announcement follows the allocation of £2 billion of direct lending to green projects in the latest budget. This additional finance will support clean growth projects as global economies shift away from fossil fuels to renewable and low carbon solutions.
Gordon Welsh, Head of UKEF’s Business Group said:
In Queen Elizabeth House, DIT will be joining the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland, Office of the Advocate General, HMRC, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, the Office for Statistics Regulation, the Information Commissioner’s Office, and the Government Actuary’s Department. Additional UK government departments are expected to confirm occupancy in the coming months.
The UK government building will be fully occupied as soon as it is safe to do in a Covid-secure way.
Work is also underway to set up a flagship UK government building in Glasgow. The Edinburgh and Glasgow buildings are part of the UK government’s commitment to delivering excellent public services for people in Scotland, building a strong civil service outside London and leading the way in local regeneration.