Alex Salmond will use his first official visit to the United States as First Minister to promote Scotland to global financial giants in New York and to the key American media.

The First Minister will today meet with a number of major financial companies in New York and visit the Stock Exchange on Wall Street, visiting with companies who are already significant investors in Scotland as well as others who hopefully may be attracted to Scotland in the future.

He will also host a business dinner for Globalscots in New York tonight which will include senior representatives from Trump Organization, GE, Wyeth Research, Morgan Stanley and RBS America.

The First Minister will also be carrying out a number of important interviews with the US media - the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox. He will be emphasising the reputation for excellence of our financial services sector and setting out his ambitions for driving up economic growth in Scotland.

On Friday the First Minister will be making a speech to the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Speaking as he arrived in New York for his two day visit, Salmond said: “North America is hugely important to Scotland. America is our most important market.

“When it comes to tourism no where is more important to Scotland than the American market. We need to be stressing that Scotland is a friend of business. We need to be promoting Scotland as a fantastic destination for business and leisure and reminding Americans of all that we have to offer. In the next two days I will be telling business leaders and TV audiences just that.

“We don't come at this from a standing start. The ties between our two nations are both historical and strong. There is an affinity between our people.  I want to take this to a new level in the coming years. I want to use the Scottish Government and the position of First Minister to make more of an impact overseas and especially in America. I really believe that we are pushing at an open door in America and I am here to give it an almighty shove.

“This visit is very much about business. I want Scotland's current high profile to become an economic advantage. The business people I am meeting fall into three groups. Those already investing in Scotland. Those thinking about investing in Scotland. And those brought along by others who are investing in Scotland. All these groups are vital as we look to the future and growing our economy.”

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