Labour will promote Scottish products through UK embassies, says Sarwar

More Scottish products will be promoted using the same blueprint as whisky and smoked salmon if Labour comes into government after the general election, Anas Sarwar has said. 

The Scottish Labour leader said the Tory-led UK Government has “failed to capitalise” on “homegrown success”.  

The party outlined how it will use the UK’s global network of embassies to sell high-quality Scottish produce and services abroad while promoting Scotland as a premium food and drink destination.   

Brand Scotland, a strategic marketing and communications collaboration between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International/Scottish Enterprise and other stakeholders, is a key element of Labour’s growth plan for Scotland. 

If Labour is successful at the general election, the party says it will treat food and drink as “an economic asset” and promote Brand Scotland internationally, embarking on trade missions to every continent within two years.   

The party says that it has identified “multiple levers” to improve Brand Scotland’s visibility around the world, including adjusting regulations to allow food and drink producers to scale up, addressing issues with visitors’ visas for artists and sportspeople, and improving rural infrastructure and housing. 

Sarwar said: “It’s no coincidence that the UK’s biggest food and drink exports both come from Scotland. 

“‘Brand Scotland’ – our amazing food and drink, creative industries, and tourism and hospitality – has an immense soft power abroad, while creating jobs at home. 

“But the chaotic Tory government currently squatting in Westminster has failed to capitalise on our homegrown success. 

“A Labour government with Scottish Labour MPs at the Cabinet table will build on the reputation of smoked salmon and whisky to promote other high-quality products abroad.  

“We will use our international links to sell our products to the world while opening the door for customers who want to visit, and ensuring that when tourists do spend money, it ends up in Scottish producers’ pockets. 

“A Labour-run Scotland Office under Ian Murray will be Scotland’s window onto the world. 

“Voting Scottish Labour means booting out this rotten Tory government, maximising Scotland’s influence with Scottish Labour MPs in government and delivering the change that Scotland needs.”