Business guides listing
Explore emerging markets
Explore emerging markets
Want to explore markets outside the EU? Find out if your company is ready to build an international business in emerging markets such as India, Middle East and China.
Opportunities in China, India and the Middle East
International economic activity is shifting towards emerging and fast-growing markets such as China, India and the Middle East. Demand is out there for suppliers of quality Scottish products, services and expertise.
Entering these markets may present new challenges. But you needn't go it alone. We’re your go-to contact for enhanced support, both in Scotland and in-market.
We can connect you to the right opportunities including those at the upcoming Expo 2020 in Dubai, for example.
We’ll also help you set up business in the following countries:
- Middle East (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Oman)
- India
- China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan)
What help is available?
You can access:
- Market awareness events with our specialist advisers and GlobalScots
- One-to-one market advice
- Detailed market research
- Specialist workshops on finance, tax and regulations
- Support for market visits
- Field-based staff and our agency partners in these geographies
Any Scottish company with global potential, already trading overseas (ideally with export sales contributing 15% of turnover) can access this service.
What's involved?
We can put you in touch with key contacts in our 10 offices across India, Middle East and mainland China to support your business.
We can connect you with influential business leaders such as GlobalScots and organisations such as the Middle East Association, the Asia Scotland Institute and the China-Britain Business Council, to make the most of their local market knowledge.
Your company will be able to access the expertise of colleagues who have spent some time in these markets.
You can also leverage our university connections. For example, by investigating how the Confucius Institute for Business – awarded to Heriot Watt University – can support you to export to China.
India opportunities
Flagship initiatives, such as Make in India, Skill India, Digital India and India Smart Cities, have witnessed increased government spending on multi-billion pound projects. This has created a wide range of opportunities including:
- High value manufacturing and R&D
- Skills development
- Digital health and medical technology
- Sensor and clean technologies
- Business services and data analytics
Scottish businesses are well-positioned to capture a share of this investment market, and we're here to help. We have three offices in India – at Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai – where our team can help your business connect with Indian companies and key decision-makers.
China opportunities
The Chinese government's Made in China 2025 plan highlights four key initiatives to continue reforming the economy:
- 10-year action plan to elevate China's manufacturing strength – backed by a State Council fund of £4.3 billion to support emerging industries
- Industry shift to quality over quantity – specialist and innovative tech expertise will be in high demand
- Measures in place to support foreign direct investment by accelerating RMB exchange conversions
- Key high value opportunities in healthcare, energy, transportation, ecommerce and sustainable urban development
Our market experts here in Scotland and across our offices in Mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou), Hong Kong and Taiwan can help your business connect with local companies and key decision-makers.
Next step
To find out how we can help your business succeed in markets such as India, Middle East and China, get in touch to discuss your plans.