Almost 10,000 jobs in Scotland were created or supported by foreign investment last year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
With the number of inward investment projects increasing 17% in 2014/15, Ms Sturgeon said the figures show “just how successful Scotland is at doing business”.
Ninety-one projects created or safeguarded 9,659 jobs – a rise of almost 30% on the previous year – of which 3,192 were said to be high-value positions.
The three sectors which attracted the most foreign investment were technology and engineering (33%), oil and gas (16.48%), and finance and business services (15.38%).
It comes after Scottish Development International (SDI), which helps foreign companies set up in Scotland, attracted a record number of jobs and projects.
Ms Sturgeon said: “These results demonstrate just how successful Scotland is at doing business. Last year was a record in terms of the jobs and projects that SDI was able to support. It is clear that Scotland has now firmly established itself, outside of London, as the most successful part of the UK for attracting international investment.”
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scotland has demonstrated again its strengths as a fantastic place to invest in and grow a business.
“A highly skilled workforce, research capabilities and competitive infrastructure make us extremely attractive to the world’s best companies.”
The latest inward investment figures were announced as Ms Sturgeon and Ms Wilson visited UTC Aerospace Systems in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, where the US-based firm has increased its workforce from 15 to 280 over the past two decades.
Its general manager Steve Callan said: “Over the past 19 years, UTC Aerospace Systems Prestwick service centre, which provides nacelle maintenance, repair and overhaul to airline customers around the globe, has seen tremendous growth, going from 15 to 280 employees and growing revenues to over 80 million US dollars (£51.4 million).”
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