Fossil fuel energy sector overseas - trade promotion support: policy

4. Scottish Specific Context

As per industry feedback and our own analysis, the main support that the Scottish Government and its agencies provides to the sector comes in the form of advice, help to attend trade missions, international conferences, business networking, and inclusion in the Team Scotland Pavilion at significant events like Offshore Europe and Offshore Technology Conference.

We recognise that for many in the enterprise sector, international trade is reliant on partners met through these events and therefore we will continue to offer this kind of support and aid businesses to unlock new business opportunities across the full decarbonisation spectrum as noted in the list of exemptions.

Scottish Development International (SDI) is the Trade and Inward Investment agency of the Scottish Government. Over the years they have assisted hundreds of companies to win business overseas, either through helping them to attend missions and exhibitions, providing market intelligence, making connections, or getting advice from our GlobalScots network.

SDI will continue to work with companies who operate in the oil and gas sector and markets, but the support they receive will be in line with the exemptions provided in the guidance to this policy.

It is not possible to include an exhaustive list of all the trade support and promotion activities provided by the Scottish Government and our Agencies in this document. Instead we have identified 4 broad support types, that will continue as detailed below

4.1 Overseas Network

Scotland's overseas network includes:

i. Scottish Government overseas offices

ii. Scottish Development International (SDI) and VisitScotland presence in more than 30 locations in 19 countries

iii. In-market specialists

iv. Trade Envoys

From 1 November 2021^[2] the above cohort will refocus to offer support and promotion for low carbon and energy transition technology goods and services. This includes advice, guidance, introductions and event support.

Scotland's overseas network also includes:

v. GlobalScot network

The GlobalScot network is a group of senior business people who volunteer their time to support our companies export and attract investment to Scotland. GlobalScots, as volunteers, can exercise their discretion, as to whether they wish to provide personal support and advice to fossil fuel exporters. However, in line with our overall approach to trade support, from 1 November 2021 the Scottish Government and Agencies will no longer proactively seek GlobalScot support or organise GlobalScot branded activity for fossil fuel only exports. Instead we will use their networks and influence to further strengthen Scotland's position in the global energy transition space.

4.2 Trade and Investment Visits

From 1 November 2021 the Scottish Government and its Agencies will refocus trade and export support, and promote low carbon and energy transition technology goods and services on inward and outward Trade and Investment missions.

4.3 Collective Events

From 1 November 2021 the Scottish Government and its Agencies will refocus to support and promote low carbon and energy transition technology goods and services at international conferences and events.

4.4 Specific Grant Funding

From 1 November 2021 the Scottish Government and its Agencies will refocus export and international trade support, and promote low carbon and energy transition technology goods and services via grant funding available for trade promotion and support.

This includes, but is not limited to our:

• International Trade Partnership (ITP), delivered by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce FM Challenge – Export Champions, International Scale Up and our International Recovery Programme delivered by Scottish Development International (SDI)