WIREDGOV

A Scottish delegation, led by First Minister Alex Salmond, is in Frankfurt this week for Euro Finance Week - the largest financial services gathering in Europe.

The delegation includes Scottish Development International, Scottish Financial Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and and the Financial Services Advisory Board and will be seeking ways to strengthen economic links with Europe and reinforce Scotland's position in financial services.

The FM will be a keynote speaker in the panel session Restructuring the Global Financial Architecture - The Road Ahead at the conference, alongside Prof. Dr Jurgen Stark of the European Central Bank, Prof. K. C. Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

During his visit the FM will meet the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet and Chairman of Deutsche Bank, Dr Joseph Ackermann.

Mr Salmond said:

"The Scottish Government is working hard, both at home and abroad, to create and safeguard jobs across Scotland.

"This week I will lead a Scottish delegation to Euro Finance Week in Frankfurt to strengthen economic links with Europe and reinforce Scotland's strong reputation for financial services.

"Working closely with Scottish Development International the visit aims to maximise opportunities for inward investment and reinforce the message - to leading global financial figures - that Scotland offers significant competitive advantages for business.

"The global financial services industry is in a period of change and pressure, and clearly we are not immune from these challenges, however after the period of restructuring will come a period of investment and Scotland has to be placed to benefit from the upswing.

"Scotland's reputation as a centre for financial services has been reinforced by Tesco Bank, Esure, Virgin Money, Capita and BNP Paribas, who have all announced plans to invest in Scotland this year.

"Scotland is second only to London in the UK in financial services and has the talent, infrastructure and support services that continue to attract some of the biggest names in international finance."