The Scottish Government has published a plan to help Scotland’s tech sector boost exports and reach new international markets.

Produced in partnership with industry experts, the Export Plan for Scotland’s Technology Sector identifies opportunities to build on strengths in key areas, including digital technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Following the publication of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, this action plan encourages better collaboration between industry, the public sector, and the Scottish Government to unlock economic opportunities and better promote tech businesses internationally.

The new report aims create a clear framework through which industry, public sector and the Scottish Government can collaborate; identify and maximise the export opportunities; capitalise on Scotland’s technology export strengths; and make a significant contribution to the country’s overall export growth ambitions.

The plan pointed to fields and technology such as net zero, enhanced health and wellbeing, accelerated use of digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing as promising areas to drive at Scotland’s tech exports.

In addition, the US, Germany, China, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and South Korea were noted as potential markets with growing import demand for technology.

With 10,395 registered businesses in Scotland’s technology sector, tech companies account for around 5.8% of the country’s businesses. These firms provide 83,610 jobs and have a total turnover of £21.6 billion.

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Trade Minister Ivan McKee said: “Building on A Trading Nation – our plan to grow Scotland’s exports – this plan is one of a series of sector-specific plans critical to delivering our economic ambitions to grow exports to a quarter of GDP by 2029.

“An Export Plan for Scotland’s Technology Sector sets out how we can work in partnership with the industry to identify new markets and opportunities, helping to grow the technology we export around the world.”

He added: “Our ambitious strategy to transform Scotland’s economy prioritises investment in entrepreneurialism and development of new markets, and this plan will help to ensure securing new trade and investment opportunities are front and centre of our economic growth.

“The Scottish Government, our enterprise agencies and the wider public sector will work together to support the technology industry to capitalise on our export potential.”

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