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The Scottish Government contributed £50 million (via Scottish Enterprise) to the Scottish-European Growth Co-Investment Programme. This was matched by £50 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF). In addition, the Programme is expected to lever over £100 million from EIF accredited fund managers across Europe for investment in Scottish companies and companies have been able to access the Programme since 16 June 2017. Details on the eligibility criteria can be found at https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/attract-investment/scottish-european-growth-co-investment-programme/scottish-european-growth-co-investment-programme-overview

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-09852 on 29 June 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government contributed £50 million (via Scottish Enterprise) to the Scottish-European Growth Co-Investment Programme, the first tranche of investment support under the Scottish Growth Scheme. This was match funded by £50 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF). The Programme is expected to lever over £100 million from EIF accredited fund managers across Europe for investment in Scottish companies.

The Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety was convened to oversee a review of building and fire safety regulatory frameworks, and any other relevant matters, in order to help ensure that people are safe in Scotland’s buildings, and make any recommendations for improvement as required.

The role automatic fire suppression systems can play in supporting an overall package of fire safety measures for various building types will be discussed at this group.

It should be noted that current building regulations require the provision of sprinklers in new schools. There is also the provision for sprinklers in new high rise domestic buildings, new residential care buildings, new sheltered housing, new shopping centres and high risk areas of new hospitals. This provision applies to conversions of existing buildings to these type of buildings.

Guidance on Local Housing Strategies (LHS) was published in 2014 and refers to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 which requires an LHS to state how a local authority will comply with its duty under Section 106 of the Act.

Section 106 states that local authorities must exercise the functions conferred on them by the Act in a manner which encourages equal opportunities and in particular the observance of the equal opportunity requirements which are set out in the Equality Act 2010 and includes age, disability, sex (including Pregnancy and Maternity), gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion and belief. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) of the LHS Is required if people are affected by a policy or strategy, either directly or indirectly.

Statistics on the value of international exports from growth sectors are published in Table 5.2 of the Growth Sector Statistics Database on the Scottish Government website here:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Publications/GrowthSectors/Database

These figures are based on the latest data from the 2015 Export Statistics Scotland publication which provides estimates of the nominal value of Scottish exports.

In 2014, the Scottish Government issued guidance on Scottish Planning Policy, Housing Needs and Demand Assessments (HNDA) and Local Housing Strategies. It is the responsibility of local authorities, using the framework provided by this series of guidance, to determine the appropriate housing mix, including numbers, house size, type and tenure for their areas.

The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service have dealt with 4,051 unique businesses since inception in December 2005. All of these businesses have received advice while some have progressed beyond this – producing 1,848 Business Improvement Projects and delivering over £218m in efficiency savings. The service currently employs 32 staff members and has an annual budget for external support of £500k.

In August the First Minister announced plans to establish a new Post-Referendum Business Network which would work more closely and collaboratively with the main business bodies, the STUC and the Scotland Office to help shape future policy and support for business. Following dialogue with these key stakeholders the remit and membership of this forum, re-named the Scottish Business Growth Group, was agreed and an inaugural meeting held on 20 April 2017. Scottish Government and Scotland Office officials jointly provide secretariat support.

The information in the following table was provided by Scottish Development International and provides details of trade delegations since 2014.

Information prior to 2014 is not available.