Scottish manufacturing exports on the rise

Scotland has seen the greatest quarterly increase in manufactured export sales since the middle of 2007, official figures show.

Scotland's Chief Statistician announced the release of the latest provisional estimates for the Index of Manufactured Exports.

This quarterly publication measures growth, in real terms, of overseas exports by manufacturing companies located in Scotland.

Exports grew 3.9% on the last quarter while on an annual basis, comparing the most recent four quarters to the previous four quarters, manufactured export sales increased 2.2% in real terms.

Enterprise minister Fergus Ewing said: "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."

In the latest quarter there was growth in food, drink and tobacco (+6.1%), chemicals, coke, refined petroleum and nuclear fuel (+11.1%), metals and metal products (+7.5%), engineering and allied industries (+0.8%) and wood, paper, printing and publishing (+3.4%).

There were falls in textiles, fur and leather (-8.2%) and the other manufacturing sector (-0.2%).

On an annual basis, growth was experienced in all sectors except for engineering and allied industries (-2.2%).

The largest contributors to annual growth were metals and metal products (+20.7%), food, drink and tobacco (+2.2%), other manufacturing (+13.1%) and wood, paper, publishing and printing (+11.6%).

Within the engineering sector there was growth in transport equipment (+21.3%) but falls in mechanical engineering (-10.7%) and electrical and instrument engineering (-4.1%).