~ Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the 250^th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations by presiding over an academic partnership signing between Florida International University (FIU) and Heriot-Watt University. ~

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — On the third day of the International Business Development Leadership Mission to the United Kingdom, the delegation hosted a Florida Business Seminar in Edinburgh, Scotland where Florida leadership, including Secretary Kelly, spoke to an audience of Scottish companies from several key industries—emphasizing that Florida is the best place to do business. Additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the 250^th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations by presiding over an academic partnership signing between Florida International University (FIU) and Heriot-Watt University. This visit to Scotland follows two inbound delegation visits from Scotland to Florida earlier this year.

“Under Governor DeSantis, Florida has positioned itself as one of the strongest, free market economies in the world—today’s business seminar gave Scottish stakeholders the opportunity to hear about Florida’s commitment to strengthening shared key industries, like aerospace and aviation, military and defense, FinTech, advanced manufacturing, maritime and quantum, through economic collaboration,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “In helping Scottish companies expand beyond their own borders, Florida is bolstering its economic portfolio through trade and investment—creating jobs for Floridians and cementing our position as an economic powerhouse on the world stage.”

“Scotland’s rise in the aerospace industry shows what focused ambition can achieve, and it mirrors the story we have written in Florida. Building a strong aerospace economy takes deliberate investment, smart policy, and the discipline to compete on substance. The regions that understand this are the ones that will lead, and Florida is proud to lead the charge,” said Rob Long, President & CEO, Space Florida.

Showcasing the commercial strength of Florida’s economy, Florida Business Seminar attendees received a comprehensive overview of Florida’s key sectors from senior leadership. The seminar served as a strategic platform for advancing the goals laid out in the 2023 Florida-U.K. Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor DeSantis—driving opportunities for capital investment and long-term partnerships between Florida and U.K. private sector stakeholders. Florida higher education institutions were highlighted today with leadership from Florida International University, the Florida Institute of Technology and the University of Central Florida speaking to Scottish stakeholders at several events.

The Aerospace Panel Discussion that followed the Seminar brought together key government, higher education and industry stakeholders from both Florida and the U.K. to discuss the regions’ transatlantic aerospace partnership, aerospace infrastructure, commercialization, workforce development and innovation. Panelists identified potential opportunities to strengthen the relationship between Florida and the U.K.’s aerospace industries through investment and economic collaboration. These efforts solidify Florida and Scotland’s positions as international leaders in the space race by ensuring companies have the tools they need to build and test their products.

In celebration of the 250^th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, Governor DeSantis announced a new Letter of Friendship and Institutional Collaboration between FIU and Heriot-Watt University signed today at Panmure House, the final residence of Adam Smith. The new partnership establishes a framework for academic cooperation that builds on the intellectual heritage of Adam Smith—reinforcing Florida’s commitment to free market capitalism.

In the evening, the delegation came together for an activation event and networking reception with business leaders, governmental leadership and international partners—strengthening relationships with Scottish stakeholders and promoting future trade and investment opportunities.