Scotland’s export community has long provided businesses with easy access to growth opportunities, scaling support and routes into some of the world’s fastest growing markets. Despite recent economic challenges, Scotland’s growth is performing well, with the Scottish Government demonstrating that Scotland’s goods exports have grown at twice the rate of the UK as whole. Partnerships also remain high on the Scottish Government’s agenda to make the most of prospects available.

Trading internationally is a great way for Scotland to show its wares on the global stage and it’s important we leverage the strong networks in place. We’re seeing emerging markets like seafood, meats, textiles and renewable energy begin to take their rightful place, increasing their exports exponentially.

These sectors are doing more for Scotland than just bolstering the economy’s growth, with exporting helping them to find new international customers become less dependent on domestic demand. However, many find the international trading system complex at first, with multiple rules to navigate.

My advice to start-ups looking to grow is to do your research and scope out the opportunity available. There are a number of schemes and support networks available for those exporting in Scotland which can be by your side on the journey including UMi Sat Nav, the Scottish Loan Scheme by Scottish Enterprise, the Co-Innovate Programme and Export Hub Scotland.

If your business has been successful in the UK, chances are it could be successful in other parts of the world but we at UMi find that business leaders can be put off by perceived challenges, particularly those arising from a technology perspective. Recent reports have highlighted a lack of digital trading systems and digital documents available as a significant barrier for both aspiring and experienced exporters.

The good news is that where there are pain points there are often solutions. There are several cloud-based supply chain management services, such as TradeTech, that can help tailor your customer journey to the rules and regulations of the country in hand and overcome some of the barriers to international trade.

Whether you are sending products and services overseas for the first time or are a seasoned exporter, being open to exploring new technology can help businesses adapt to a rapidly changing environment, including automating areas of your business such as single process systems or enterprise resource planning (ERP). We have helped hundreds of small businesses access funding to access these technologies and continue to support business owners to maximise their potential.

It’s time for Scotland to celebrate its export successes, to recognise those business leaders who have achieved growth and are keen to inspire and stimulate future exporter growth we set up the Scottish Export Index. Businesses of all shapes and sizes across Scotland named in the Index will take their place amongst the best in the Scottish export community.

It’s clear that new opportunities will continue to arise for businesses looking to play their part in the Scotland’s exporting story.

Nicki Clark OBE is UMi CEO