Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander begins a week-long programme across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore from 15 February 2026, pitching Scottish exporters and meeting ministers and business leaders. The itinerary also includes the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Auckland and Brisbane, a timely cultural shop window alongside trade and investment talks. (gov.uk)

The timing matters. UK membership of the CPTPP is now live with most partners – including New Zealand, Singapore and (from 24 December 2024) Australia – meaning simpler customs, common rules and, in aggregate, zero tariffs on the vast majority of UK goods exports. For macro context, government guidance flags more than 99% of UK goods exports to CPTPP members becoming tariff-free, while independent estimates suggest a long‑run GDP uplift of about £2bn once fully utilised. (business.gov.uk)

Food and drink has the cleanest near-term upside. Scotch whisky remains Scotland’s signature export and Singapore is a vital distribution hub: the Scotch Whisky Association reports £5.4bn of global exports in 2024, with Singapore the third most valuable market at £310m by value. That hub role into South‑East Asia is precisely where CPTPP’s rules and customs simplifications can help firms move product with fewer frictions. (scotch-whisky.org.uk)

Seafood is the other proven performer. Scottish salmon set a record £844m in export sales in 2024, with Asia and Oceania the fastest‑growing region, up 62% year on year, according to Salmon Scotland. Logistics capacity is improving too: Glasgow Prestwick’s new seafood service to China shortens farm‑to‑flight times and is designed to preserve premium freshness for high‑value Asian buyers. (salmonscotland.co.uk)

Services should not be an afterthought. TheCityUK puts the UK’s 2024 financial services trade surplus at $127bn, underlining persistent global demand for British capital markets, risk and advisory expertise. Singapore alone accounted for an estimated £4.2bn of UK financial and business services exports in 2023, with the UK–Singapore Digital Economy Agreement now providing the legal plumbing for paperless trade, trusted data flows and fintech collaboration. (thecityuk.com)

Defence cooperation is another pillar of this trip. In July 2025 the UK and Australia signed the so‑called Geelong Treaty, a 50‑year AUKUS agreement underpinning joint work on nuclear‑powered submarines and supporting thousands of skilled jobs and up to £20bn in potential UK exports. For Scotland, the relevance is practical as well as strategic: the supply chain spans advanced manufacturing and naval systems where Scottish firms already contribute. (gov.uk)

Shipbuilding links are already deep. Australia’s Hunter‑class frigates are based on the UK’s Type 26 design, while BAE Systems continues Type 26 assembly on the Clyde in Glasgow. That know‑how transfer and associated sub‑system contracts – from propulsion controls to combat systems – are the sort of industrial wins Alexander will seek to extend in meetings with Australian counterparts. (defence.gov.au)

Renewables investment runs both ways. SSE’s Japan joint venture, SSE Pacifico, is progressing a floating offshore wind demonstrator backed by public funding, while Japanese investor Mitsui has taken a stake in Scotland’s Port of Nigg to position for the next wave of floating wind assembly. For Scottish suppliers, that Indo‑Pacific capital is as important as export orders. (sserenewables.com)

What should SMEs do now? First, check CPTPP rules of origin and documentation so you can actually claim preferences – the Department for Business and Trade has specific SME guidance. Second, pressure‑test pricing and lead times for Singapore, Australia and New Zealand using the UK–Singapore digital trade framework where relevant. Third, map distributors with cold‑chain or duty‑suspension capabilities for premium food and drink. (gov.uk)

A final note on expectations. CPTPP is not a silver bullet for growth, but it can compound gains in sectors where Scotland already competes well, from whisky and seafood to financial services and clean‑energy supply chains. Alexander’s brief is to convert that potential into orders, partnerships and – crucially – inward investment that translates into jobs at home. The programme in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore is a logical place to start. (gov.uk)