This and that - October 2011
This . . .
This is definitely the time to raise a glass to the whisky industry after the Scotch Whisky Association’s most recent export figures showed that in the face of adversity and in defiance of global economic uncertainty, whisky exports have rocketed by almost a quarter. In the first six months of this year global shipments of the spirit reached £1.8billion, up 22% on the same time last year.
While the USA remains the top export market with France a commendable second, emerging markets in Asia and South America are becoming increasingly important with Taiwan now a top five market and Brazil increasing its imports by 56%.
With Scotch whisky exports now accounting for 25% of all UK food and drink exports, it very clearly shows that companies and sectors which can successfully move into and grow their export capabilities can find themselves in a world brim full of opportunities.
It particularly shows the importance of emerging markets – irrespective of what it is you are trying to export - and it is interesting to note that the growth markets opening up for the Scotch whisky industry tend to be those whose economies are on the up. Alas sadly they also flag up those whose economies are on the way down – the value of exports to Spain, although still a top 10 market, fell by 16% last year.
So if you’re looking for an indicator as to where you should focus your export attention and who might have a bit of cash to spend, you could do worse than follow the usquebaugh – the water of life
. . . and that
While all attention may have been on THAT road in recent weeks and months, it’s as well to remind ourselves that other transport projects, crucial to the ongoing economic future of the North-east have been stepping up a gear.
Activity at Aberdeen Airport has been sky high in recent months with the airport recording eight consecutive months of growth and being listed as Scotland’s fastest growing airport in August (latest figures available at time of writing). And, with the high level of activity during Offshore Europe, it is probably a fairly safe bet to say that they’ll have held on to that top slot when the September figures come in.
International traffic has been particularly buoyant with new scheduled and charter routes adding to the picture, although a cloud on the horizon saw Ryanair withdraw its Dublin flight.
The main infrastructure project at the airport – the £10million runway extension – is also on a high, with completion due later this year – well ahead of schedule.
Also chugging along – although at a slightly slower pace – is the issue of High Speed Rail (HSR). This Chamber, in support of and as part of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) network has been campaigning continuously to bring HSR to Scotland.
Last month, an SCC delegation appeared before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, along with Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP to make the case for extending HSR to Scotland.
In what was seen as a positive hearing in respect of Scottish issues put forward, the delegation got the point across that the economic case for HSR improves significantly when Scotland is incorporated and, of particular interest to the North-east, they also pointed out that better rail services to Aberdeen are needed in order to widen the initial benefits of HSR. Significantly though, real progress seems to have been made in terms of funding with the UK Government agreeing to pick up the tab for funding HSR to the border and the Scottish Government picking it up north of that.
Now if we could only sort out the problems at the Haudagain – or as some call it, the Haudmebackagain - roundabout . . . |
