The Exporters Association to lead a small group out to Gothenburg and Boras in Sweden to investigate similarities between the economies of the region and the Scottish Borders and to establish what successful initiatives have been undertaken to combat the loss of their traditional industries. e.g. Knitwear, Crafts, etc.

Scottish Borders Council has encouraged the Exporters Association to take a small group out to Gothenburg and Boras in Sweden to investigate similarities between the economies of the region and the Scottish Borders and to establish what successful initiatives have been undertaken to combat the loss of their traditional industries. e.g. Knitwear, Crafts, etc. It is also the intention to investigate construction techniques, in particular environmental developments that may prove invaluable to building firms the Borders. If the feedback from the initial visit is positive and encouraging application will be made for Leader funding to take a larger group out to Sweden later in the year.

The group will be tasked with seeking to develop links between the business communities in Sweden and the Scottish Borders which will lead to an increase in trade between these regions.

The objectives are:
• Set up communications between individual companies, organisations and LEADER Local Action Groups in Sweden.
• Identify areas with similar core businesses and sectors.
• Set up exchange visits between these areas that will:
o Identify traditional industries that are in decline.
o Identify ways in which the skills within these industries can be put to best use.
o Seek out examples of Best Practice developed to aid recovery.
o Identify companies that would benefit from adoption of these Best Practices.
o Identify opportunities for joint promotion for trade and tourism.

This project fits the Scottish Borders LEADER Programme Themes – ‘Progressive Rural Economy’ and the Innovation Area – ‘Diverse and Sustainable Rural Businesses, and links to the activity namely - Support for the development of business connections and networking, including links between sectors

The outcomes expected from this project are:

• Create a sustainable working relationship between the lead organisations and their counterparts in Sweden.
• Achieve continued exchange of information and ideas between the groups.
• Achieve an increase in trade between Swede and the Scottish Borders.
• Achieve an increase in tourism between Sweden and the Scottish Borders.
• Create increased job opportunities in all areas.
• Increase membership of the Scottish Borders Exporters Association.

The companies and organisations participating in the initial visit are:

• Mike Wilson, Scottish Borders Exporters Association, Group Leader
• Rosy Eribe, Eribe Knitwear Design
• Michael Crawford, J S Crawford, Builders
• Sally Scott Aiton, Cobweb Designs