He said the Oil and Gas Industry in the United Kingdom and Scotland in particular, which had over 200,000 people directly involved in the sector was  focused in promoting oil and gas ventures around the world.

“Scotland is a leader and aiming to be one of the first countries in the world, so far as renewable energy is concern”.   He made the statements at a meeting with the Scottish Oil and Gas Trade Mission.   The Trade Mission is in the country to access the local market conditions, look to potential local partners and explore the investment opportunities within the Ghanaian oil and gas industry.

According to the Scottish Development International (SDI) Trade Mission, Ghana as an oil and gas hub, was well positioned geographically and has been able to manage its industry well; therefore the Scottish fraternity was committed in exploring opportunities.

The delegation comprises of nineteen companies including; ACE Winches, Katoni Engineering Limited, Corex (UK) limited, University of West Scotland, LUX Assure, Rigmar, Bowalds Energy Limited, Aquatic Subsea, Hydrasun Group Limited, Peprime Limited and PFC Limited.

The High Commissioner said he was therefore, hopeful that the visit would further strengthen the Ghana-Scotland relationship, for the transfer of the technologies, educational capabilities and skills that had been built up over the years.

In his remarks, Mr Andrew Monaghan, Team Leader, Scottish Oil and Gas Trade Mission delegation to Ghana, said he was excited to be leading a delegation, who were interested in helping to build up the Ghanaian oil and gas industry for the benefit of its citizens.

He said the sub-sectors included education and training, subsea engineering, winches, electric product distribution, well construction and engineering services; and remote communication systems.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Monaghan said the visit aimed at bringing proficiency to Ghana, explore the business and investment opportunities, and help raise the Ghanaian oil and gas industry to another level.  Mr Monaghan, who is also the Scottish International Trade Advisor for West Africa, said the Scottish companies were well informed by Ghana’s Petroleum Commission to ensure that they were thoroughly aware of the implications of the local content policies and regulations.

  Mr Craig Cuthbertson, a Process Engineer at Katoni Engineering Limited, one of the companies, also told the Agency that they were in Ghana, to explore their options mainly with some of the leaders in the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) market.

  He said their goals here were primarily to find engineering service work in the FPSO market, and its key targets would be the Jubilee and Tweneboa- Enyera-Ntomme (TEN) fields, which Tullow Ghana manages and MODEC operates.

  Mr Cuthbertson said they intended to get into small gaps with their strong expertise and as well highlight on integrity asset management.

  The SDI is the international economic development arm of the Government in Scotland; and provides a broad range of services to support companies and institutions to help them develop their overseas business.

    SDI also helps overseas businesses tap into Scotland’s key strength in innovation, knowledge, high levels skills and technology; as it operates in 29 countries around the world.