Trade links highlighted during Paris visit.

Steps to increase trade with Scotland’s third largest export market will be progressed by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a two-day visit to France.

The First Minister will a lead a delegation of technology companies who will showcase their products and services to French partners, academics and customers in Paris.

Latest figures show France is Scotland’s third largest international export market worth an estimated £2.4 billion to the Scottish economy.

During the visit the First Minister will address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament on Tuesday, meet Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau and officially open the Scottish Government’s France Hub.

The First Minister said:

“The relationship between Scotland and France is one of the oldest in the world.

“France is our third largest export market and French-based firms play a key part in our economy, with investments in financial services and our food and drink industry.

“By promoting trade and investment, and officially launching our new hub in Paris, the Scottish Government is working to show Scotland is open for business and an attractive place to invest, visit, work and live.

“Despite the challenges we face as a result of Brexit the Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to show the world that we are an open and outward looking country.”

Background

Latest statistics on France as an export market.

The Scottish Development International (SDI) delegation will include exhibits from Birdi.I, Ecometrica, IbioIC, Robotical, Nomadix, Simec Atlantis and Edesix.

The First Minister’s speech and images from the Scottish Government’s France Hub official opening will be available on Monday night.

The First Minister will also speak and take questions at the Assemblée Nationale on Tuesday. She was invited to address the 73-strong Foreign Affairs Committee by Marielle de Sarnez, the chair of the committee and former French Minister for European Affairs. The session will be available to view live between 4.30pm and 5.40pm GMT on Tuesday 19 February.