Scotland: a trading nation

A plan for growing Scotland's exports.


3.2 Ownership profile of top 500 exporting businesses

Of the 100 businesses exporting the most from Scotland, the vast majority are owned outwith Scotland – with only 14% being owned in Scotland. Another 19% are owned in the rest of the UK.

This contrasts with the ownership profile of the next 400 exporters with over a third owned in Scotland.

Ownership Profile Chart

Source: Based on data from Export Statistics Scotland 2017

This chart also highlights the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) to exports given that 60% of exports are delivered by the first 100 exporting businesses and 67% are owned outside the UK. Increasing FDI can have a further positive impact on exports as foreign owned businesses tend to be more internationally focused and export orientated.

Size of top 500 exporting businesses

While a high proportion of businesses in the top 100 exporters are large businesses, it is interesting to note that 74% of businesses in the next 400 exporters are SMEs.

Source: Based on data from Export Statistics Scotland 2017

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