SDI field operations have a critical role to play in developing relationships in key overseas markets with private and public sector bodies that are critical to supporting trade.Scottish ministers also undertake a number of overseas programmes each year to promote Scotland’s trade agenda with business and Government ministerial counterparts. During a recent visit to Hawick by the Minister for Youth Employment, local employers in textiles raised concerns with me about punitively high import tariffs of 16 per cent on all lambswool products to the United States, compared with just 4 per cent for cashmere.