The First Minister, who believes France is worth an estimated £1.5 billion to the Scottish economy, will outline details of his government’s £10 million Saltire Prize challenge to reward firms which can create commercially viable wave or tidal energy technology.
France is Scotland's third largest export destination, worth an estimated £1.5bn to our economy. More Scotch whisky is sold in France than in any other country. At the same time, French companies continue to invest in key Scottish sectors such as financial services and energy.
Alex Salmond
Scottish First Minister
The Scottish Government has a target to provide 50% of electricity demand from renewables by 2020.
Mr Salmond is in Paris for “roundtable discussions” with firms working in subsea and marine renewables including the French energy giant EDF, Total and Veolia.
He said: “Scotland's Auld Alliance with France represents a strong, enduring bond between these two historic nations. Those ties - cultural and economic - go back many hundreds of years and remain as important as ever.
“France is Scotland's third largest export destination, worth an estimated £1.5bn to our economy. More Scotch whisky is sold in France than in any other country. At the same time, French companies continue to invest in key Scottish sectors such as financial services and energy.
Invest in Scotland
Read more about investment opportunities in Scotland.
“This is a very important opportunity for the Scottish Government, working with Scottish Development International, to further strengthen our relationships with leading French companies in some of the most valuable sectors of our economy.”
He will meet Minister for Europe Pierre Lellouche to discuss cultural and educational links between Scotland and France, and attend the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's concert at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees.
Story links
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Printable Version
Email this page
Add to My UK