Rise in manufactured exports from Scotland
The Index of Manufactured Exports for the first quarter of 2011 published today shows the highest quarter on quarter increase in sales since the second quarter of 2007.
The quarterly growth of 3.9 per cent includes rises across most sectors. Commenting on today's figures, Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing also welcomed as encouraging the year on year rise in manufactured exports of 2.2 per cent.
Mr Ewing said:"Today's figures show the greatest quarterly increase in Scottish manufactured export sales since the middle of 2007. While these figures are hugely encouraging it is clear that our recovery is at a vital stage.
"These results are testament to the hard work and resilience of thousands of businesses across Scotland identifying and exploiting opportunities to sell into export markets.
"They are supported by a Scottish Government firmly focused on a growth strategy founded on growth companies, growth markets, skills and infrastructure and by its agencies working directly with Scottish businesses.
"Last year more than 950 Scottish companies received support, through Scottish Development International (SDI), to develop and pursue opportunities internationally - an important part of the Government's strategy for growth.
"We will do more with a specific export support package to provide advice and support for Scottish companies looking to enter new markets overseas. The Scottish Investment Bank is prioritising lending to support the internationalisation of SMEs and we will continue our enthusiastic support and funding for the new Smart Exporter initiative - providing assistance to around 8,000 Scottish businesses over the next three years.
"We continue to press the UK Government for further powers through the Scotland Bill to give Scotland the economic teeth to increase our competitiveness and economic resilience, and to enable more of our business to perform to their full capacity in global markets."
The Index of Manufactured Exports (IME) is a quarterly National Statistics publication measuring the volume of export sales by the manufacturing sector in Scotland.