Who we are
Scottish Development International (SDI) is an award-winning organisation and has been named the ‘World's most consistently high-performing agency’ by GDP Global Development.
Our success is demonstrated in the value of inward investment to Scotland and our international trade development activities during the last year. These include:
- Over £600 million inward investment jobs planned for Scotland
- Over 9,300 planned jobs created or safeguarded including 2,000 planned high-value jobs
- 950 Scottish high potential companies supported to export
We’re a joint venture between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise bringing together the resources of these organisations to deliver support for companies investing in Scotland.
We’re also a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) partner organisation. UKTI is the UK government organisation that supports UK companies to trade worldwide, and helps overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK.
Not only do we provide support to international companies based in Scotland through our inward investor support activities, but we also help Scottish companies to develop trade worldwide.
Key facts about us
- SDI was originally set up in 2001 from Scottish Trade International and Locate in Scotland, which were created in 1991 and 1981 respectively
- We employ around 250 people (160 within Scotland), including 90 sales professionals working in 22 offices across 15 countries across the globe
- We have an annual operating budget of £24.3 million
- In order to support foreign investment to Scotland, we have a network of trade and investment offices and staff throughout the world including the UK, mainland Europe, North America and Asia
- We actively manage relationships with around 360 inward investors in Scotland to nurture and build on the 120,000 jobs they provide
Find your nearest SDI office