Scottish Secretary Alister Jack to promote businesses in Paris trip

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack will promote Scottish businesses on a two-day trip to Paris from St Andrew’s Day.

The UK Government minister is set to meet with British and French businesses, as well as parliamentarians and diplomatic staff.

He will also visit Chanel to see how the fashion brand have used tweed and other Scottish materials throughout their history, and in their latest range.

Mr Jack will then host a St Andrew’s Night dinner with the British Ambassador to France, Dame Menna Rawlings.

The trade in exports and imports between the two countries totals around £78.3 billion per year, while Scotland’s exports to France are worth nearly £3 billion a year, including whisky and renewable energy.

Mr Jack said: “Scotland and France have historic and enduring links, and St Andrew’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate and strengthen those ties.

“A fantastic example of that relationship is the 100-year-old creative partnership between Paris’ Chanel fashion house and Scotland’s beautiful tweed, and I look forward to hearing more about that.

“The UK and France are important trade partners, and we must build on that.

“The French market is worth billions to Scottish businesses, with huge potential to grow.

“While in Paris I will be promoting Scottish businesses, as the UK Government does every day, right around the world.”