Minister builds good relations

SCOTLAND'S relations abroad are important to future economic growth, external affairs minister Linda Fabiani said today.

Speaking ahead of an address to an international conference, Scotland's Place in the World, in Edinburgh, she said: "This government will always promote and market Scotland as a great place to live, learn, visit and do business."

The conference, organised by the British Council Scotland, was also due to hear from Jan Melissen, of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, and Professor Christopher Merrill, from the University of Iowa.

Singer Eddi Reader will perform at the event.