Slowdown in export sales growth

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
5 October 2011 Last updated at 10:08 GMT Exports of textiles, engineering products and chemicals were well up on the quarter Growth in Scottish export sales slowed in the second quarter of 2011, according to new official figures.

Manufactured exports grew by 1.1% in real terms during the period - compared to a rise of 3.9% in the previous quarter.

Over the year, most sectors saw growth - with the overall volume of export sales increasing by 2%.

Sectors such as textiles, engineering and chemicals registered the largest rises in the second quarter.

According to the Index of Manufactured Exports, sales from engineering and allied industries rose by 2.5%, while chemicals, coke, refined petroleum and nuclear fuel were up by 2.4%. Textiles, fur and leather export sales grew by 3.2%.

However, exports of wood, paper, printing and publishing dropped by 9.4%, while metals and metal products sales fell by 3.2%.

On an annual basis - comparing the four most recent quarters with the previous four quarters - growth was experienced in nearly all manufacturing subsectors.

The largest contributors to annual growth were food and drink (up 2.4%), "other manufacturing" (up 13.6%) and metals and metal products (up 9.6%).

Within the engineering sector, there was growth in transport equipment but falls in mechanical engineering and electrical and instrument engineering.

Figures 'encouraging'

Finance Secretary John Swinney described the figures as "encouraging".

He commented: "On an annual basis, manufacturing export volumes have now increased for the last four consecutive quarters and there is evidence of a stable upwards trend.

"Scottish businesses, large and small, are the primary driver of sustainable economic growth and our ability to succeed as a nation depends the competitiveness and success of our businesses."

He added: "Over the last four years, this government has acted to support growth and tackled the challenges presented by the global economic downturn.

"We have set an ambitious target to deliver a 50% increase in exports by 2017 and our economic strategy outlines practical measures, ensuring that Scottish businesses can seize on opportunities in new growth markets."

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