The Scottish Government is to hire a series of experts to drive energy exports in five key markets such as the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has announced that five specialists will be hired in Mexico, India, the USA, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Recruitment is now underway with the aim of the posts being filled early next year, with an initial three-year term.
The Scottish Government said the international growth of Scotland’s oil, gas and energy supply chain is an “economic priority”.
More than half of those suppliers are based in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The project is being funded by the Scottish Government, along with Scottish Development International and economic development body Opportunity North East (ONE).
Mr Wheelhouse made the announcement during a visit to Whittaker Engineering near Stonehaven earlier today.
He said: “These five new energy experts will provide a vital conduit between businesses in Scotland’s world class energy supply chain and new, international markets – providing knowledge and advice to businesses, and creating the vital networking opportunities that supply chain businesses require to get that all important ‘foot in the door’.
“We know from experience in other sectors that this could have a hugely positive impact for those businesses taking advantage of this opportunity to access specialist market expertise and I am delighted that this initiative is well-aligned with the internationalization objectives of Scotland’s Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Group.”
The Oil and Gas Authority’s Vision 2035 plan involves generating £920billion of revenue from the sector in the next 17 years.
£500billion of that is expected to come from doubling the UK’s share of the international market.
Trevor Garlick, chair of ONE’s oil, gas and energy sector board, said: “Anchoring the regional supply chain long term, with its high-skill jobs and productivity, is an economic priority for North East Scotland.
“Internationalisation is key to this and the five new in-market energy specialists will provide an important resource to support established and new exporters increase market share in the global oilfield services and wider energy markets.
“This new partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and ONE demonstrates what can be achieved through sharing goals and resources between the private and public sectors.
“Most importantly, it provides practical, in-country expertise to develop the global potential of our enterprising supply chain and is aligned with the oil and gas industry’s Vision 2035 ambition to double supply chain exports long term.”
