2016 was a record-breaking year of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Scotland, according to the latest annual survey into FDI attractiveness published at the end of May by Ernst & Young (
www.ey.com).
The 2017 EY Scotland Attractiveness Survey shows that Scotland has retained its position as the top location in the UK outside London for FDI, with investment projects up 2.5% on 2015.
As well as highlighting the record level of investment projects won by Scotland, the report also notes that Scotland now takes over one in 50 of all investment projects in Europe — a clear indication that the country is now firmly established as a location of choice for global investors.
Furthermore, 2016 was also a strong year for Scotland in attracting R&D inward investment; with 21 individual projects, it has retained its position as number one in the UK for such projects.
Paul Lewis, managing director of Scottish Development International, said: “Scotland has a great track record as a location with tremendous appeal to international investors, so it’s heartening to see that position reinforced by the new EY survey, and it’s particularly welcome to hear that Scotland now wins over one in 50 of all investment projects into Europe.”
The top-five countries investing in Scotland in 2016 were the USA (43 projects), France (14 projects), Germany (seven projects), Ireland (six projects) and China (five projects).