Small business exporters and ambitious SMEs across Scotland will be front and centre of a new roadshow in Edinburgh, offering tailored support from the UK Government to get more small firms exporting across the financial, professional, and business services sectors.

The Made in the UK, Sold to the World roadshow event will offer SMEs the opportunity to directly connect with commercial officers, international buyers, and ‘export champions’, providing them with advice and support around realistic export opportunities.

Boosting exports is a key part of the Government’s plan to drive economic growth, with official stats showing businesses that export are over a quarter more productive than businesses that don’t, and pay 7% higher wages.

According to the Government, each roadshow is focused on one of the eight key growth-driving sectors identified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy to channel support to areas with the highest potential to create jobs, boost productivity and grow the economy.

Professional and business services, for example, are worth £300 billion a year to the UK, with the country being the second largest exporter of business services in the world, generating £125 billion worth of exports.  

Strengthening the sector is central to the Modern Industrial Strategy, with the Government planning to support five new centres of excellence across the country, including Glasgow, to help services firms grow and adopt new technology, with additional backing through UK Export Finance to help them secure overseas contracts.  

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The Edinburgh roadshow will also include a workshop on exporting services to the US, Scotland’s top market after the Netherlands last year. However, shifting trade policies under President Trump may make such access a more complex task than before.

The commercial officers and international buyers present at the event will span markets and regions from not only the US, but also Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

“Scottish businesses are known for providing world-class financial and professional services, and this roadshow will be an excellent opportunity to showcase that talent and connect businesses with new international partners, opening the door to new markets,” said Blair McDougall, UK minister for small business and economic transformation.

“Export success and the professional and business services sector are key to the government’s Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change, which will drive growth and create well-paid jobs. That is why we are doing everything we can to support our small and medium-sized businesses to grow and succeed.”