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