Scottish Development International was established in 2001 by merging the export promotion agency, Scottish Trade International (STI; 1991–2001) and the foreign direct investment and inward investment agency, Locate in Scotland (LiS; 1981–2001).

The agency claimed its actions led to the creation of 7,839 jobs in Scotland in 2016/17.

[1] SDI's North American offices in the United States are in San Jose (California), Chicago (Illinois), Cambridge (Massachusetts), and Houston (Texas).

Canadian offices are in Toronto (Ontario) and Calgary (Alberta).

[3] In the US, SDI promotes Scottish businesses and products at Tartan Day/Week events, and at American trade events such as the golf-oriented PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, and the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market.