TWO Scottish firms are among a business delegation to South East Asia which will secure trade deals worth £750 million and create 270 new jobs.
The four-day tour, which begins in Indonesia today, is being led by Prime Minister David Cameron in a bid to boost economic links with a part of the world Downing Street believes has "untapped potential" for Britain.
Glasgow-based engineering company Weir Group and Aberdeenshire manufacturing firm Ace Winches are among the businesses taking part in the "One Nation" delegation, which will also take in Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Mr Cameron said: "Over the next 20 years, 90% of global growth is expected to come from outside Europe and Britain must be poised to take advantage.
"That's why I'm delighted to be taking British businesses to this vast and dynamic market, securing deals worth over £750 million and creating opportunities for hard-working people back at home.
"We can also open up more markets for British businesses by leveraging the power of the EU's single market with 500 million consumers to secure bold, ambitious trade deals with these fastest, growing economies."
He added: "Companies like Weir Group and Ace Winches are flying the flag and unlocking the economic potential of the fast growing economies of South East Asia for Scotland. I am delighted that they have joined me on my first trade mission of this government and I hope that we can work together to create jobs and growth for the UK."
As part of the trade mission, the UK Government will make available up to £1 billion to finance infrastructure projects in Indonesia through its export guarantee scheme.
This financing could pave the way for growth of £200 million worth of exports to the UK.
Projects up for grabs include a sewage treatment system in Jakarta worth £400 million and geothermal power projects worth £66 million.
Mr Cameron confirmed he will also focus on the growing international threat posed by Islamic State (IS) during talks in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as seek to build momentum for action to tackle climate change ahead of the United Nations summit in Paris at the end of the year.
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