CHEFS in Ulan Bator have been tasked with preparing a haggis as adventure travel entrepreneur David Scott prepares to take what is thought to be Scotland's first trade delegation to Mongolia.
Mr Scott, who became Mongolia's man in Scotland when he was appointed honorary consul last month, is leading a delegation of around 15 companies to the former communist country which, thanks to the commodities boom, has become one of the world's fastest growing economies.
He told The Herald: "Scottish businesses are very keen to get in to Mongolia.
"They are going through rapid change and expansion, building new roads and railways and developing service industries."
The result is a range of companies are embarking on the 4000-mile trip to Mongolia next month.
Those on the trip include representatives such as the BenRiach Distillery Company, ACTrained and the University of Glasgow.
When they arrive delegates can expect temperatures of minus 30 degrees centigrade.
Mr Scott, who runs Newton Mearns-based travel firm Sandbaggers, is equipping delegates with down jackets and mini crampons.
"Mongolia is a massive country with a very small population and they have a traditional nomadic lifestyle," he said. "But the mining sector has boomed and everything is growing on the back of that."
Mongolia's 2.75 million people are scattered across 604,000 sq miles of territory which is rich in metals such as gold and copper.
In an effort to build awareness of Scotland in Mongolia the group is to host a Burns Supper.
Mr Scott said: "We have tried to explain to a chef in one of the hotels how to make haggis.
"We are lucky enough one of the delegates owns a distillery so he is supplying the whisky."
Mr Scott believes whisky producers have strong prospects in a drinks market dominated by Chinese versions of the Scottish tipple.
Any other companies interested in participating in the trip, which runs from January 22 to January 29 should contact Mr Scott at info@mongolianconsul.com
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