Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of what we do. One energy startup, Legasea, attended this week’s transatlantic trade dialogue in Aberdeen with a delegation from across Europe to discuss how they can boost £200 billion worth of UK-US trade partnerships.

The talks being held in the North-East are centred on key sectors for Scottish economy and bring together a range of Scottish businesses, from Aberdeen’s flourishing tech scene and world-leading energy sector, with the dialogue focussing on areas including digital and innovation, green trade, supporting SMEs and supply chain resilience.

Recent figures provided by UK Government show that US investment is supporting over 100,000 jobs and generating nearly £50 billion for the Scottish economy.

Participants in the facility visit, and press conference held on site, included US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai; UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan; and Andy Burnham, Mayor for Greater Manchester. 

During the visit, Ms Trevelyan discussed the importance of trade for creating jobs and spreading economic opportunities throughout the UK, and included leaders from across Scottish, central and local government, a wide range of businesses as well as trade unions and civil society groups such as Trades Union Congress.

Following Monday’s visit to Legasea, Ambassador Tai  stated on Twitter “Great start to the U.S.-UK Dialogue in Aberdeen on the Future of Atlantic Trade. These talks are shining a light on ways we can work together to promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for our workers and businesses”.

Commenting on the trade dialogue, Shevaun Haviland, Director-General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Smaller businesses make up the majority of our membership, and the UK economy, so it’s vital they are given a voice in these talks and that they get to reap the benefits on both sides of the Atlantic. Supply chain disruption and soaring inflation have reduced the operating margins of many small firms to almost nothing, so reducing the costs of trade with the US would be a huge boost for them. This would then help communities right across the UK to see the benefits that improved trade with the US could bring”.

Ray Milne, Operations Director at Legasea said:“We were delighted to accommodate the visit of the UK-US trade delegation, during their visit to the North-East of Scotland. As an SME, with ambitions for continued international growth, we very much welcome the progression of opportunities for businesses to trade with our international partners such as the United States. We’d like to say a big thank you to all involved in planning and coordinating the visit, as well as McIntosh Plant Hire, for their assistance with logistics and security arrangements”.