Finance Secretary John Swinney met bosses from engineering giant Doosan Power Systems yesterday after the firm’s decision to scrap plans to develop offshore wind turbines in Scotland came to light.
Mr Swinney’s visit to Doosan’s Seoul headquarters was part of a wider tour of Japan and South Korea involving meetings with business leaders and ministers.
Just over a year ago, the company announced its intention to locate a multimillion-pound offshore wind renewables base at its site at Renfrew.
It has now blamed the “overall economic conditions and liquidity issues” for the decision to withdraw from the plans.
At the time, Doosan said it hoped to recruit about 700 staff over 10 years.
In a statement, the company said it had decided late last year to abandon its plans for developing offshore turbines in Scotland.
During first minister’s questions on Thursday, Alex Salmond was accused of suppressing the news.
Labour leader Johann Lamont said he had known of the decision in December 2011, although it had only emerged now.
Speaking after his meeting with representatives including president and chief executive Gee-Won Park, Mr Swinney said: “This was a very productive meeting and I was pleased to hear that Doosan remain fully committed to their existing activities within the UK, including employing 1,300 people in Scotland.”
A Doosan spokesman said: “Our relationship with the Scottish Government is strong and we continue to consider future opportunities for investment in Scotland.”
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