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I do not know whether international trade is the strongest suit for the Conservatives to lead on, but—[Interruption.] On a note of consensus, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are important trade partners for Scotland, and I assure the member that they will remain so once we have achieved independence.

I thank Willie Coffey for his question and his consistent interest in this issue. I agree that there is huge potential in this area.

I have two points to make. One is about supporting the tech industry itself, which I referred to in my first answer on the tech scalers programme. The other is about supporting the industries that will use technological interventions. We have committed more than £2 billion in capital investment over the course of this parliamentary session to deliver low-carbon and natural infrastructure.

Climate tech cuts across a range of businesses, so this is about support for businesses themselves and for the wider mission of a just transition to net zero, which will drive the economy for tech start-ups.

I stress to the member again that it would not be appropriate for Scottish ministers to comment on the matter. However, I stress that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency works to ensure the safe management of all licensed landfill sites in order to protect the environment and communities.

It would not be appropriate for Scottish ministers to comment on any individual tax dispute. The collection and management of the fully devolved taxes are matters for Revenue Scotland in its role as Scotland’s independent tax authority.

Achieving global climate change targets requires new ways of thinking about economic policy, finance and investment, as well as new instruments and interventions to make the change. We are working with partners and businesses from Scotland and around the world to deliver a COP26 programme that will accelerate change across those areas.

Through our programme of events and ministerial and business engagements, we will showcase our strengths in innovation, trade and investment to a global audience. For example, Scotland’s climate ambition zone is hosting a programme of events during the COP26 fortnight that is putting the spotlight on Scotland as a world leader in sectors such as decarbonising heat, the circular economy, hydrogen and green skills. Furthermore, in association with partners such as the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, in Dundee, we are highlighting innovations in the area of low-carbon transport, which is a key enabler for a net zero economy.

We will use COP26 as a platform to showcase and attract investment into Scotland’s green investment portfolio, which will bring together market-ready projects worth £3 billion by 2022. We are participating in events covering natural capital, green ethical finance and finance for nature, providing a platform to address the crucial issues of financing a fair and just transition to net zero. By sharing our experiences across those sectors, we intend to galvanise action in the business community and help others on their journey to net zero.

COP26 is not an end in itself, however—

I certainly will, Presiding Officer.

We will build on the opportunity through delivering our national strategy for economic transformation.

Through our export growth plan “A Trading Nation”, the Scottish Government is focused on supporting the growth of exports from 20 to 25 per cent of gross domestic product by 2029. The 2019 Scottish export statistics show strong growth in Scotland’s exports before the economic shock of the global pandemic and the damage caused by the United Kingdom Government’s reckless approach to European Union exit.

In 2019, Scotland’s total exports of goods and services increased by 4.3 per cent to £87.1 billion, including increases in the international exports of goods and services by 3.4 per cent to £35.1 billion, and exports to the rest of the UK by 5 per cent to £52 billion. The growth in exports to the rest of the UK was driven by an increase in electricity exports, helping to keep the lights on in England and Wales. More recent HM Revenue and Customs statistics only underline the negative impact of EU exit, as Scottish goods exports fell by 24 per cent in the latest year to June 2021, compared with the equivalent period in 2019.

A vibrant tech sector is critical to our economic recovery and net zero ambitions. Through the implementation of the Scottish technology ecosystem review, the Scottish Government is committed to creating a world-class technology ecosystem, enabling a pipeline of profitable, scalable tech businesses, including climate tech businesses. This year, we have allocated £7 million to support the first-year implementation of the review, which includes establishing a national network of tech scalers that will support 300 to 500 tech companies through the tech scalers programme.

Other policy interventions include our recent artificial intelligence strategy. The strategy sets out actions to build on the success of our AI climate emergency challenge, which saw six companies develop concepts to use AI to address the climate emergency. The Scottish Government is also supporting challenges in CivTech 6—the sixth CivTech programme—which explores the roles that tech can play in carbon sequestration, an important tool in getting to net zero.

I assure the member that my eyes are wide open, and I engage regularly with the retail sector. As he will be aware, the challenges that are faced by retail are not unique to Scotland, or even to the United Kingdom. During the pandemic, we have seen the acceleration of existing changes for the retail sector that had been taking place over a prolonged period. The challenge is about what comes next.

I agree that there is a need for immediate support, and that is why, as I made clear earlier, the Scottish Government has spent £4.3 billion supporting businesses, including with a comprehensive package of non-domestic rates relief to support the retail and other sectors throughout the pandemic. We are also taking action, such as the Scotland Loves Local campaign, to increase footfall and motivate more people to shop locally, and we will ensure that such activity is synchronised as we move towards Christmas and the golden quarter for retail, which is a term with which I am sure the member is familiar.

We are taking that immediate action and, in the autumn, I will be bringing national planning framework 4 to the Parliament. In consultation with partners, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, we are preparing a review of the town centre action plan. Later this year, we will publish the retail strategy, and I would be happy to come back and discuss that with members in more detail.

As I said in my statement, I am happy to meet any member to discuss the issues, because I am passionate about making Scotland a vibrant and flourishing place for the retail sector.

I thank David Torrance for his question, which covers a huge area. On 5 October, the Government published its Covid recovery strategy, which sets out an ambitious vision and plan for Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic and is focused on bringing about a fairer future for all.

The strategy details three outcomes that are central to achieving that vision of a fairer future: increasing financial security for low-income households; enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people; and creating good, green jobs and fair work. That work will also be taken forward through the national strategy for economic transformation.

We recognise the key role that convenience stores can often play in our localities, particularly in supporting vulnerable groups, which will be reflected in the retail strategy.

I am happy to discuss the matter further with the member, should he be interested in doing so.