Scotland secures UK FDI top spot outside London for tenth year running
17 Jun 2025 • 5 minute read
The latest EY Scotland Attractiveness Survey highlights Scotland's decade-long stretch of FDI success.
Choose Scotland for trade and investment
Whether you’re looking to set up a business in Scotland or you’re an overseas buyer, we can help you find the solutions, products and services you need. In Scotland, health, happiness, equality and sustainability combine to create a dynamic business environment — making us the perfect choice for foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade.
Scotland — your perfect partner for:
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Inward investment
For the tenth year running, more overseas businesses chose to invest in Scotland in 2024 than any other UK region outside London.
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Trade
You can access more than 3500 suppliers in industries such as life sciences, space tech, subsea engineering and renewable energy.
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Capital investment
Scotland has £3.7 billion worth of investment-ready opportunities for private capital in digital, low carbon and health industries.
Who we are and how we can help you
Scottish Development International is the international arm of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national and international economic development agency. We help businesses from around the world do business in or with Scotland.
If you’re an overseas business looking to set up in Scotland or source Scottish products, services, or innovation, we can help.
Learn about us and the support we offer
If you are a business based in Scotland looking for support in exporting goods or services to new markets, access exporting support from Scottish Enterprise.
Learn more about exporting support from Scottish Enterpriseopens in a new window
Scotland — a place full of business opportunities
Learn about Scottish opportunities and activities for you and your business.
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Get funding and grants advice
Scottish Enterprise can help you find funding to grow your business or project through targeted grants, or support from other sources. Find out more on the Scottish Enterprise website.
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Action on climate change
The transition to net zero emissions opens huge opportunities to innovate and grow your business in Scotland. We all need to take action now. Learn how Scotland is playing its part.
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Become an investment partner
Scottish Enterprise can help you find opportunities to invest in early-stage and expanding companies with high-growth potential. Find out more on the Scottish Enterprise website.
One-to-one support
Scottish Development International has more than 30 offices around the world with our staff ready to help you set up and grow your business in Scotland. A cost-effective home with the skills you need, along with opportunities to expand and further support to grow globally. You'll benefit from Scotland's welcoming business environment, diverse industries, vibrant cities and our stunning landscapes too.
And, if you’re looking to buy quality goods or expertise from Scottish companies, whether it be digital expertise or high-quality food produce, we can help connect you to these opportunities. Scotland's long tradition of tech innovation is matched by our excellent infrastructure of suppliers, industries and networks, making us your natural trading partner.
Why Scotland?
Learn about the benefits of trading and operating in Scotland.
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Financial and tax incentives
Scotland offers attractive incentives to help you upskill your staff, develop new products and services, and access growth capital.
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Innovation
If you're looking to bring a new idea to the market, we can connect your business with funding, expertise and world-class innovation centres in Scotland.
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Trade opportunities
Looking for suppliers of quality goods and services or need help finding a tech solution? From food and drink to digital health, we'll connect you to Scotland's supply chains.
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People and skills
We can help you find the right talent, skills and training to grow your business in Scotland.
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Cost of doing business
Scotland is a cost-effective place to locate your business. It's less expensive to live and work in Scotland than cities like London, Zurich, Paris and Dublin.
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Supportive environment
With easy access to government, businesses, universities, research and innovation centres of excellence, we can help you make the right connections to prosper in Scotland.
Latest business news from Scotland
Explore our recent news stories and features.
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Animation pioneer Halon Entertainment chooses Glasgow for new £28 million studio
27 Mar 2025 • 2 minute read
Find out what brought the LA-based animation company to Scotland.
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Innovative Scottish solutions to reduce costs of green hydrogen
06 Mar 2025 • 4 minute read
A new initiative in Scotland is building partnerships that can help hydrogen become a viable renewable energy source.
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