Australia will be championed as a land of opportunity for north-east firms this week, when a large contingent from Down Under arrives in Aberdeen for the city’s Offshore Europe event.
Heading this way are Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and Peter Carew, chief executive of the Northern Territory government’s business department, along with representatives from 14 Australian companies wanting to find out what Scotland can offer their country’s energy sector.
Firms in this country aim to be part of Australian projects worth an £15.7billion annually over five years.
Twenty-five Scottish companies took part in a Scottish Enterprise/Scottish Development International trade mission to Australia earlier this year.
Eight of these are targeting a total of £12.3million-worth of new business in the fast-growing market over the next three years, according to new figures given to the Press and Journal.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “There are huge opportunities open to us in Australia and we are determined to make the most of them.”
International sales by Scotland’s oil and gas supply chain rose by 8.4% in 2011-12 to £8.2billion, nearly double the growth rate the previous year.
Many Scottish companies already have bases in Western Australia, or are considering exporting their expertise or services there.
Rob Graham, director at engineering services company QEM Solutions, said: “It’s taken us 10 years to generate a £1.5million annual turnover in the UK but we believe we can equal that in six months in Australia.”
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