Scottish Development International welcomes rise in Scottish manufactured exports
The Index of Manufactured Exports for 2011 published today (Wednesday 18th April) shows that the volume of manufactured exports grew by 4.8 per cent compared to 2010.
Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International, said: “These figures are very encouraging and are testament to Scotland’s growing reputation as a key player at an international level.
“We know that accessing new, overseas markets is a fundamental way for home-grown companies to realise their ambitious growth plans. As set out in our new business plan, by providing an integrated package of support including account management and access to our Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), Scottish Development International is committed to helping the companies we work with increase their export sales by between £1.2 billion and £1.7 billion by 2015.
“In doing so, we can help ensure long-term sustainable growth for the Scottish economy.”
The figures show that the largest contributions to annual growth came from the food and drink sector (+8.4%) and the chemicals and refined petroleum products sectors (+8.0 per cent).
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said: "The globalised economy means that a strong export performance is essential if Scotland is to move on to a more sustainable, balanced path of growth and strengthen our economic success. These figures, which show an annual rise in manufactured exports, are welcome - especially those increases in the food and drink sector.
"This Government’s ambitious target to increase our exports by 50 per cent by 2017 is a fundamental part of Scotland’s economic agenda. We are working with our enterprise agencies to encourage more growth companies to become active exporters and we are widening our support to help them to do so.
"Recent trade missions to the US and Canada and my own engagements in Japan and Korea this week are strengthening Scotland’s economic links and opening up new and valuable connections in overseas markets.
"Our assistance is helping Scottish business make the most of these links and we will widen this to encourage more growth companies to become active and successful exporters."
The Index of Manufactured Exports (IME) is a quarterly National Statistics publication measuring the volume of export sales by the manufacturing sector in Scotland.
The full statistical publication can be accessed here.