Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the role of Highland Games and Highland Gatherings in promoting Scottish exports.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) recognises the importance of Highland activities in Scottish export promotion. DIT officials will attend the Highland Games events this year to assess what more we can do to support associated businesses. The Exporting is GREAT campaign works with businesses from across the Highlands providing export support through online services at great.gov.uk, the E-Exporting programme, and through UK Export Finance. We will continue to identify activities across Scotland to promote the strength of local exports. Last year, Scottish goods exports totalled £28.8bn, an increase of 19.2%.