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WE WOULD REGAIN OUR EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP, BOOST TRADE AND OPEN OUR BORDERS WITH EUROPE Under the Scottish Government’s plans, an independent Scotland would apply to re-join the European
Union. The economic opportunities of re-joining the EU, and the largest single market in the world, as a member state in our own right are potentially enormous. According to the most recent
data, the value of Scotland’s manufactured goods exports to the EU (£19bn) is a lot higher than the value of Scotland’s exports to the UK (£11bn). The EU is also the world’s largest free
trading bloc. While the EU is the top trading partner for 80 countries, the UK’s hard Brexit is damaging trade both within and outwith the EU, hurting Scotland’s businesses. As an
independent country, Scotland would have a new government ministry with specific trade-related responsibilities, including the promotion of Scottish exports – as well as a dedicated network
of overseas missions across the world, promoting Scotland as a place to invest in. WOULD WE BE ABLE TO TRAVEL FREELY ACROSS THE UK, AS WELL AS THE EU? Under an arrangement called the Common
Travel Area (CTA) Scotland would retain freedom of movement within the British Isles, just like Ireland does. Being in the Common Travel Area allows for free movement between the UK and
Ireland – and means there would be no new passport or immigration checks at any of an independent Scotland’s land, sea or air border points with the UK and Ireland. It would also mean that
British and Irish citizens who live in Scotland would have retain the rights to live, work, and access services including housing, education and healthcare – and the same for citizens of an
independent Scotland living in the UK and Ireland. Because of Brexit, there would be some checks required on goods between Scotland and the rest of the UK, but people in Scotland would move
freely between the UK, Ireland and the wider EU. Additionally, as EU citizens, Scotland’s people would also be able to live, work, trade, and travel in 27 European countries. HOW WOULD
BUSINESSES BE SUPPORTED WITH NEW TRADING ARRANGEMENTS? After Brexit, traders had only days to prepare for new trading rules before they came into effect – which caused chaos and delays for
many, and resulted in layers of paperwork hampering the businesses’ ability to operate. In contrast, the Scottish Government will plan ahead, actively notify businesses and provide support
on the ground to help traders understand and comply with new trading arrangements. This would mean advice and guidance available to businesses through websites, helplines and support
sessions. The independent Scottish Government would also establish a support service for exporters, and help with paperwork and administrative requirements.