Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of Scottish Enterprise, runs a programme of virtual and physical overseas trade missions to strategically important markets. These missions give companies in Scotland the opportunity to learn about new markets and meet potential overseas buyers.

International trade missions allow businesses to visit new markets and explore international business opportunities. They can be a great way to:

• connect with new buyers
• gain a more detailed understanding of an export market
• discover attitudes toward your products or services 
• build relationships
• validate desk-based market research

Trade missions are often used as the first step to entering new markets. SDI runs a number of international trade missions every year to different countries and for various sectors.

Yes, if you are a business already based in Scotland. The international trade missions are aimed at specific sectors, so your business would need to be in that sector or provide products or services to it to participate in a particular mission.

The cost will vary depending on the mission and the programme. 

Any export-ready, Scottish-based business thinking about selling their products or services in new international markets.

This can vary depending on the location and length of the mission. Physical missions will typically last 2 to 4 days.

The number of participants is restricted, so you will need to apply to take part. You can find information on the application process on the Overseas Trade Missions and Exhibitions page on the Scottish Enterprise website. 

Businesses must register their interest in individual events.

The SDI mission programme constantly changes and adapts to meet business needs, so check the Scottish Enterprise website for the latest information.

Visit the Scottish Enterprise website to find out more and to apply.