Scottish Development International (SDI) has opened its first office in Africa in a bid to strengthen Scotland’s business ties with the Commonwealth nations.
The move is set to double the number of companies supported by the body to around 300 by 2014/15.
The body is also estimating the new office in Ghana, serving as a hub for West Africa operations, will increase Scotland’s international sales to the continent above the current £2billion mark.
The new office will focus primarily on the energy sector but other industries will also be supported, including IT and communications, food and drink and construction.
“Whilst Africa is a vast continent of some 54 countries with over one billion people, there are a smaller number of those countries that are economic ‘hot spots’ which offer Scotland huge opportunities,” said Gary Soper, SDI’s new regional manager for Africa.
The body is looking to open a second office in East Africa within the next 12 months which will focus on Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique, he added.
Simultaneously, SDI has partnered with Subsea UK to launch a new guide to ‘Doing Business in West Africa – Oil and Gas Subsea Focus.’
“As operators move into deeper and more remote territories, significant opportunities open up for British subsea companies whose techniques and expertise are sought after to develop these new fields,” said Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK.
“We expect to see a considerable portion of global oil and gas capital expenditure spent in West Africa in the next few years, thanks to large-scale projects such as the Kaombo and Cabaca fields in Angola and the Bonga southwest project in Nigeria.
“The latest guide, along with our partnership with SDI who have a strong on-the-ground presence, will help companies gain the knowledge they need to capitalise on the huge potential the West African market affords.”
Recommended for you
