FOREIGN investors created around 10,000 jobs in Scotland over the past year, according to a recent survey.
Ernst & Young’s latest Scotland attractiveness survey shows that the country is one of the UK’s top locations for foreign investment.
A total of five Scottish cities have made it into the top 20 UK locations for investment outside of London.
Edinburgh was joint-first alongside Manchester, while Glasgow came in fourth place and Aberdeen, Dundee and Livingston also featured.
Ernst & Young Scotland managing partner Ally Scott said: “The past year has seen Scotland continue to make great strides as a destination for FDI, meaning it can look to the future with even greater confidence.
“Scotland’s record levels of attractiveness underline that our second-placed UK ranking for FDI flow is matched and underpinned by investors’ rising perceptions.
“Our findings suggest the outlook for Scotland’s FDI is exceptionally bright.”
Scotland’s share of projects in the UK currently sits at 12.3% which is the country’s highest level in the last decade.
Ernst & Young highlighted Scotland’s strength in high-value, high-growth industries like digital and utilities as a sign for future optimism.
Chief executive of Scottish Enterprise Adrian Gillespie said the survey showed how Scotland had the potential to operate on the “international stage”.
He added: “Scotland’s incredible workforce, world-renowned universities, competitive cost base, supportive business environment, magnificent natural resources and unparalleled quality of life on offer immediately put Scotland on the radar of investors.
“When combined with our ‘Team Scotland’ approach, which sees public bodies, academia and industry working together to promote the very best Scotland has to offer, this really makes us stand out from the crowd.
“For Scotland’s performance to grow so markedly, and to yet again be the most attractive location in the UK for FDI outside of London, is a fantastic achievement that will further enhance our global reputation.”
