Scottish exports grew to 1.5 billion pounds in the Middle East, according to the most recent Global Connections Survey from Scottish Development International (SDI), the Scottish government’s investment and business development agency. The UAE remains the largest market in the region accounting for 605 million pounds of Scottish export, up 22 percent from the prior year in 2012.

The GCC’s economic growth and modest inflation combined with its broad-based commitment to helping companies do business in the region have contributed and resulted in increased figures of exports from Scotland to the Middle East. This was driven primarily by the food and drink, energy, business and financial services and the metals, metal goods and mechanical engineering sectors.

Commenting on the global connections survey results, Tom Marchbanks, regional manager Middle East, SDI, said: “Trade figures clearly show that the Middle East has remained a key market for Scottish companies, with food and drink being a particular success story, to a growing demand on energy, education and financial services in this region, particularly the UAE doubling its import numbers compared to larger markets in the region.”

He added: “Scotland has always provided an immense pool of talent that has spawned world leading products and services across the globe. The Middle East and especially Dubai has a vast demand for quality products and services. We have witnessed Scottish food and drink companies launching new products at Gulfood exhibition in Dubai last month; this clearly demonstrates an increasing appetite in the Middle East market. Also, with significant money being invested in the education sector in the region this presents fantastic opportunities for Scottish education suppliers.”

He said: “We are aware of the competition for inward investment, and we continue to increase our resources in new and emerging markets so we can respond to global opportunities.”

The Middle East is considered as a priority market for Scotland. Over the past few years, Scotland has had multiple visits from Scottish ministerial and senior SDI’s team coming over to the GCC to be part of major exhibitions and conferences like ADIPEC, Gulfood, and Annual Investment Meeting. This has resulted in new deals and partnership between Scottish companies and Middle East companies.