MSP Keith Brown has last week told foreign diplomats Scotland is open for business.

The Clackmannanshire and Dunblane representative - who is cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work - met with the Scottish Consular Corps, speaking to officials from 57 countries.

During a trade and investment briefing, the SNP politician highlighted the Scottish Government firmly believes EU membership delivers many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, businesses and communities.

In addition, he explained the administration's 'Scotland's Place in Europe' publication has put proposals forward to keep the country, and preferably the whole of the UK, in the European Single Market.

The local MSP said: “Our ability to create a more productive and fairer Scotland depends more than ever on trading with the rest of the world, and on attracting investment into our economy – and Brexit is far and away the biggest threat to that economic success.”

The government highlighted EU membership has reduced trade barriers to the continent by eliminating tariffs and duties, harmonising rules and regulations, allowing Scottish businesses from a variety of sectors to expand into other member states, allowing financial service firms to provide services in the EU and allowing the free flow of workforce.

Mr Brown continued: “This government is bringing forward an ambitious programme of internationalisation, including measures to broaden Scotland’s export base and to grow exports beyond traditional markets. Recent years have seen strong performance for Scottish exports and for inward investment into Scotland.

“We are clear that now, more than ever, Scotland must be – and must be seen to be – a country that is confident, outward facing and open for business.

“After the EU referendum result, we committed to explore all options to protect Scotland’s national interests, in order to respond to the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland, and the national Parliament of Scotland.”

He said the 'Scotland's Place in Europe' publication meets that commitment and is the only detailed plan for dealing with the implications of Brexit published by any government in the UK.

Holyrood also said 42 per cent of Scottish international exports go to the EU with member states making up two-thirds of the country's top 12 export destinations. It added Brexit could cost 80,000 Scottish jobs within a decade, with people seeing an average drop of £2,000 in wages.

Mr Brown added:“Keeping our place in the world’s biggest single market – which is around eight times larger than the UK’s alone – matters hugely for our economy and to jobs, trade, living standards and investment.

“The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to maintaining our place in the European Single Market, and that is the message I reinforced to our European partners.”