New statistics show the value of Scottish exports of goods rose by 3.5 per cent to £14.8 billion during the year to March 2010.

Today's National Statistics Quarterly UK Regional Trade Estimates from HMRC show the value of exports for the UK as a whole fell by 5.3 per cent over the same period, with exports falling in England (4.8 per cent), Wales (16.8 per cent) and Northern Ireland (17.4 per cent) over the year.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said:

"These figures highlight the success of Scottish companies competing in tough global markets.

"They also show that the Scottish Government's firm focus on securing economic recovery is having a real impact, and vindicates the decisive action we are taking to support businesses to achieve sustained economic growth through this fragile recovery period.

"Increasing support for exporters and Scottish businesses looking to expand across the globe is key to protecting our recent emergence from recession, and a key part of our Economic Recovery Plan.

"Scottish Development International is investing more resources to help around 8,000 small and medium sized businesses across Scotland to internationalise. For example, the £7.6 million Smart Exporter project - delivered jointly by Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Scottish Chambers International and Scottish Development International, is providing vital new support for Scottish companies seeking to trade globally.

"Today's export figures reflect the success and resilience of Scottish companies in extremely difficult trading conditions. For our part, the Scottish Government and our agencies will continue to do all we can to sustain their success."

Background

UK Regional Statistics is a quarterly National Statistics publication produced by HMRC. It provides statistics of international trade in goods for the nine Government Office Regions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Regional UK Trade in Goods Statistics provide this valuable information, and also act as a source of market intelligence for the commercial and academic sectors.

See https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=td_regstats

John Swinney today welcomed new statistics that show the value of Scottish exports of goods rose by 3.5 per cent to 14.8 billion pounds during the year to March 2010.

Today's National Statistics Quarterly UK Regional Trade Estimates from HMRC show the value of exports for the UK as a whole fell by 5.3 per cent over the same period, with exports falling in England (4.8 per cent), Wales (16.8 per cent) and Northern Ireland (17.4 per cent) over the year.

The Finance Secretary said:

"These figures highlight the success of Scottish companies competing in tough global markets.

"They also show that the Scottish Government's firm focus on securing economic recovery is having a real impact, and vindicates the decisive action we are taking to support businesses to achieve sustained economic growth through this fragile recovery period.

"Increasing support for exporters and Scottish businesses looking to expand across the globe is key to protecting our recent emergence from recession, and a key part of our Economic Recovery Plan.

"Scottish Development International is investing more resources to help around 8,000 small and medium sized businesses across Scotland to internationalise. For example, the 7.6 million pounds Smart Exporter project - delivered jointly by Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Scottish Chambers International and Scottish Development International, is providing vital new support for Scottish companies seeking to trade globally.

"Today's export figures reflect the success and resilience of Scottish companies in extremely difficult trading conditions. For our part, the Scottish Government and our agencies will continue to do all we can to sustain their success."

UK Regional Statistics is a quarterly National Statistics publication produced by HMRC. It provides statistics of international trade in goods for the nine Government Office Regions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Regional UK Trade in Goods Statistics provide this valuable information, and also act as a source of market intelligence for the commercial and academic sectors.

Following a successful European Structural Fund application, SDI, SCDI and SCI have been granted funding to allow the delivery of additional export training to SME's across Scotland. This initiative, called Smart Exporter, is also supported by Business Gateway.

This initiative is an innovative collaboration between the private and public sector, which has a shared objective of working together to help grow the Scottish economy through business growth. As such, the programme will be managed, developed, marketed and delivered jointly by SDI, SCDI and SCI, taking best advantage of the skills and resources of these organisations.

The total programme value is £7.6 million over three years. This incorporates funding of £2.2 million from SDI and two million pounds from SCI, leveraging new ESF grant support of £3.4 million, to allow us to provide additional services for Scottish businesses.

Following a successful European Structural Fund application, SDI, SCDI and SCI have been granted funding to allow the delivery of additional export training to SME's across Scotland. This initiative, called Smart Exporter, is also supported by Business Gateway.

This initiative is an innovative collaboration between the private and public sector, which has a shared objective of working together to help grow the Scottish economy through business growth. As such, the programme will be managed, developed, marketed and delivered jointly by SDI, SCDI and SCI, taking best advantage of the skills and resources of these organisations.