The creation of Scotland's Parliament has helped put Scotland on the international map once more. There is enormous goodwill internationally towards Scotland and there is increased interest in all things Scottish. One of the main aims of the devolved government to harness that interest and goodwill for the benefit of all Scots.
Since devolution Ministers have worked with a number of nations and regions across the world in many policy areas including business and enterprise, education, culture and transport and taken part in major events in Europe and other parts of the world.
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A comparison of the cost of Ministerial travel overseas over five years.
YEAR | TOTAL COST |
2004/05 | £100,524.89 |
2005/06 | £73,894.66 |
2006/07 | £98,818.64 |
2007/08 | £75,535.33 |
2008/09 | £75,430.28 |
Provisional details of Ministerial travel overseas during 2008-09
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As devolution matures, the scope to enhance the scale and range of these activities increases and that is why the Scottish Government's international work together is conducted within an overall framework to ensure engagement is providing the best outcome for the whole of Scotland.
To be fully effective Ministers have to travel abroad to fulfil the function of promoting and advocating Scotland and its interests and views, whether in Europe or the wider world.
Ministers travel overseas to add value to international work and to promote Scotland's relations and interests in many sectors:
- they help Scottish businesses establish and develop international links
- they promote Scotland as an investment location; they foster policy exchanges and transport links
- they represent Scotland as a country playing its part in the international community
- they help to attract people to come to Scotland to live, work, study, do business and to visit