STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

OPPORTUNITIES for business and tourism between Glasgow and Berlin are huge according to a Scottish Government minister.

Keith Brown, economy secretary is in the German capital this week exploring trade openings between Scotland and Germany.

He said next year’s European Championships, hosted jointly by Glasgow and Berlin across seven sports is a perfect opportunity to establish greater economic links.

The TV coverage will give the tourism industry a boost, showcasing the city like the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but to a bigger European audience.

Around 250,000 people are expected to attend the events in Glasgow

As well as tourism short break business Mr Brown is exploring business deals and said in sectors like engineering and renewables there is potential for Glasgow firms.

An Innovation and Investment Hub will be opened in the German capital later this year for Scottish firms to make contacts and learn about opportunities in the German market.

Mr Brown said: “Germans have a fascination with Scotland and they tend to be high spending visitors. The warmth and affection I have witnesses for Scotland is huge.”

He said the links will establish good relations for when Britain leaves the EU but the links are important now and should have been established sooner.

Mr Brown said people in Germany cannot understand why Britain voted to leave the EU.

He said: “They are bewildered by it and many are asking if it can be avoided. They are asking if Scotland can the UK not to Brexit. That can’t happen but there is a sense here of ‘they cannot be serious’”

Mr Brown is in Berlin and other German cities with Liz Cameron of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

He said: “German business leaders want to know that we want to continue to be open to the world in trade.”

The minister said there are opportunities now not just after Brexit and he hoped that some announcements are not too far away.

He said: “We have to raise the profile for business and not just tourism.

“The Berlin hub will raise Scotland’s profile in Germany even further, promoting collaboration and cooperation between Scotland and Germany in a number of areas, including promoting cultural exchange and providing Scottish companies with a base to build new partnerships and a low cost place to trade.

Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Scotland has many natural alliances with Germany, and with direct air links from Edinburgh & Glasgow Airports, the impetus to deepen our business, cultural, social and economic relationship with Germany has never been stronger.”