| The emerging trends of trade in Scotland in the | | | | countries. |
| recent past particularly in the years 2007 and now | | | | Funding public sector services |
| 2008 reveal that the Scottish business community | | | | The fair trade projects earn the governments |
| and policy setters are fast embracing fair trade. | | | | involved an additional income often lost into the |
| Should these trends continue, and most likely they | | | | pockets of unscrupulous business personalities. This |
| will, and the right steps taken, then the year 2009 will | | | | implies that the governments involved will have more |
| definitely see Scotland turn into a fair trade trailblazer. | | | | funds at their disposal. Consequently, if well used |
| This will not only make Scotland an innovative leader | | | | these funds will go a long way to not only improve |
| in fair trade but a pioneer as well. | | | | the public sector services but also help in building |
| Buying ethically traded products | | | | infrastructure such as roads and hospitals for the |
| The dream of becoming a fair trade trailblazer can be | | | | benefit of their citizens. |
| realized within the year 2009 should the Scottish | | | | Doubling the fair-trade funding |
| government and other concerned bodies acted | | | | That fair trade brings with it accountability for the |
| accordingly. For instance, if the public is urged and | | | | proceeds and spoils of trade is not news to any |
| encouraged to buy Fair-traded products when making | | | | government or regional commerce union but |
| purchases a step into fair trade would have been | | | | increasing funding for the same is also very |
| taken. Statistics show that should the Holyrood | | | | necessary. If, for example, only a pound in every |
| administration allocate and spend just 0.5 percent in | | | | two hundred pounds spent by the Scottish |
| its procurement budget to Fair trade principles then | | | | government is reserved for fair trade goods then |
| the Scotland market will double. | | | | the fair trade funding by the Scottish government will |
| A two way beneficial ambition | | | | more than double. |
| Such a move will not only be of much benefit to | | | | Historical track of fair trade commitment |
| Scotland as a country, it will also go a long way into | | | | The Scottish government's commitment to |
| benefiting Scotland's trade partners including Malawi. | | | | promoting fair trade does not go long back in time |
| This is owing to the fact that a great percentage of | | | | though. This commitment can be traced back two |
| fair trade sugar traded in the United Kingdom come | | | | years down the line. A whole hearted support for this |
| from Malawi. | | | | worthwhile project was launched way back in July |
| Fair trade and dignity | | | | 2006 and since then a lot of benefits have been |
| In trade, nothing beats fair trade in earning and | | | | witnessed. |
| preserving one's dignity. This is therefore the perfect | | | | Currently the Scottish government boasts of trading |
| way for the Scots and their government to earn | | | | all products of coffee, tea and sugar on fair trade. |
| their dignity in the international trade sectors. It also | | | | This is to say that ethically traded coffee tea sugar |
| presents an opportunity for the Scots to express | | | | and chocolate bars are available in all Scottish |
| their support for Malawi alongside other developing | | | | government staff restaurants. |