Scottish businesses to benefit from £500,000 international trade push
Scottish businesses are set to benefit from £500,000 of government support for international trade missions designed to help companies find overseas customers and develop new commercial partnerships.
The funding, announced by First Minister John Swinney on 21 October 2026, will support Scottish Chambers of Commerce in organising trade missions across several international markets, including India.
The announcement was made at the Scotland-India Business Forum in Delhi, with the Chambers planning to return to India with a multi-sector business delegation in early 2027.
How Scottish businesses could benefit
The programme helps Scottish companies make connections with potential overseas customers, distributors, and business partners.
Trade missions are organised through the Scottish Chambers network, with participating businesses receiving assistance in identifying suitable contacts and arranging meetings in their target markets.
The support forms part of the Scottish Government’s existing International Trade Partnership with Scottish Chambers of Commerce. A previous funding announcement in May 2025 committed up to £500,000 to extending the partnership.
Scottish Chambers reported at the time that its network had delivered more than 100 trade missions, supporting over 1,200 Scottish companies in accessing international markets. The organisation estimated potential sales arising from those activities at £40 million.
The latest announcement continues the partnership’s focus on helping Scottish businesses develop international trading relationships. The government has not clarified whether the October funding represents a separate allocation from the amount announced in May 2025.
Who can take part in trade missions?
The programme is particularly relevant to Scottish small and medium-sized businesses looking to enter new export markets.
Published guidance on the Find Business Support website states that businesses do not need to be members of a Chamber of Commerce to participate.
The guidance also identifies eligibility criteria, including readiness to export, limited previous experience in the target market, and annual turnover below £7.5 million.
Businesses generally cover their own travel and accommodation costs, while some missions may charge a participation fee. As the published guidance was last updated in November 2023, companies should confirm current requirements with the organising Chamber.
Scottish businesses can explore forthcoming opportunities and register their interest through Export Hub Scotland.
India identified as a priority export market
India is among the markets being targeted, with Scottish Chambers of Commerce planning a further trade delegation in early 2027.
The Scottish Government has identified energy, life sciences, technology and digital services, and food and drink as priority sectors for developing trade with India.
Two-way trade across these sectors is estimated at approximately £2 billion annually. Government analysis suggests that figure could reach £3.2 billion by 2030, although this represents potential growth rather than confirmed future sales.
The UK-India trade agreement, which came into force on 15 July 2026, has also created new opportunities for Scottish exporters, particularly businesses seeking access to India’s consumer and industrial markets.
Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Charandeep Singh said the organisation’s international partnerships would help businesses access local knowledge and commercial contacts.
The planned 2027 delegation will provide another opportunity for Scottish businesses to investigate the Indian market, although specific dates and participation arrangements have yet to be announced.
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