About us and how we can help
As Scotland’s trade and inward investment agency, we aim to help more 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 or services, we can help.
What is Scottish Development International?
Scottish Development International is Scotland’s trade and foreign direct investment agency. Our aim is to encourage more overseas businesses to set up a location here, invest in Scottish businesses or buy Scottish products.
We do this by providing information, partnering with businesses and investors who want to set up or invest here, and helping businesses find the connections they need.
Setting up your business in Scotland
We can offer a wide range of support to overseas businesses looking to set up in Scotland. We can:
- Provide advice, information and market research
- Help you find the skills and talent you need
- Help you train and develop staff
- Help you access funding
- Help you find the right suppliers, partners and contacts
Trading with Scotland
We can also help businesses around the world access the huge range of high quality products and services offered in Scotland. Whether you’re looking to import our top-quality products – from whisky and salmon to cutting-edge tech – access our professional services or use our specialised expertise for your project, we can help you find the suppliers you need.
Interested in setting up in Scotland or trading with us? Get in touch with our team of advisers to see how we can help.
Other opportunities for you and your business
Are you an overseas supplier of goods or services and wish to sell them to public sector companies in Scotland?
Search opportunities on the Public Contracts Scotland website
If you’re interested in working for us here in Scotland, you’ll find our current job vacancies on the Scottish Enterprise website.
Interested in working in one of our global offices? You’ll be helping to promote Scotland's interests overseas and support our citizens and businesses around the globe. You’ll find vacancies in our global offices on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
Fancy a brilliant career coupled with an excellent quality of life? Scotland is a great place to live and work. Our partners at TalentScotland are experts at helping talented workers from overseas find jobs in Scotland.
If you’re a business based in Scotland looking for information about trading internationally, Scottish Enterprise can help. They can offer resources like detailed market research reports, exporting guides and exporting events. They also offer an advisory service where an expert adviser can work directly with your business to help you get started or expand your exports.
Other ways we can help
Our partners and networks
We can connect you to other government agencies, academic bodies, suppliers, industry organisations, innovation centres and our network of GlobalScots.
Expand your business in Scotland
Once you’re set up here, our support and the support from our partners doesn’t end there. Find out more about the ongoing support and opportunities available to help you expand.
Our global offices
We’ve got offices in 30 locations around the world. Working with an SDI office in your area means you can get direct support from someone who understands your business and needs.