Scottish Government

Increase Exports

DESCRIPTION:

This indicator measures the annual value of exports to the rest of the world (not including the rest of the UK) as gathered through the Global Connections Survey (GCS). The figures are not adjusted for inflation.

SOURCE:

Global Connections Survey

The Global Connections Survey (GCS) is an annual survey of businesses that collects information on exports and international connections of companies in Scotland and is the only export survey covering all sectors of the Scottish economy. Data have been collected annually since 2002.

Scotland's GCS is a sample survey, which is circulated to companies who have operations in Scotland. The companies were selected using stratified random sampling from Scottish companies in the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). The IDBR is a list of UK businesses maintained by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

GCS responses are supplemented with UK surveys and other data sources to account for non response before being weighted to reflect the entire population of Scottish business. Estimates are provided in current prices and in £ millions.

Further information on the methodology of the source is available at the link below:

Global Connections Survey Methodology

DEFINITIONS:

Exports are defined as direct sales to customers based outside the UK, including those to visitors to Scotland. Therefore goods which are sold to elsewhere in the UK and subsequently exported will not be included in these figures. Figures are gross of indirect taxes, duties and levies (except VAT) invoiced to customers and exports of goods are on free on board basis (exclude overseas freight and insurance costs).

In accordance with National Accounting principles, the oil and gas sector are excluded from the analysis as this is not attributed to any one area of the UK - termed "extra-regio" activity.

BASELINE AND PAST TRENDS:

The baseline year for this indicator is 2006. Prior to the baseline the total value of Scottish exports to the rest of the world (not including the rest of the UK) declined in every year since the survey began in 2002.

Value of Scottish exports (£ million)

CRITERIA FOR RECENT CHANGE ARROW:

This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 3% of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 3% or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 3% or more suggests the position is worsening.

For information on general methodoligical approach, please click here.

FUTURE ISSUES OR REVIEWS:

No issues.

ASSOCIATED TARGET:

Target: To deliver a 50% increase in the value of international exports by 2017

Link to related pages:Government Economic Strategy

End point: 2017 (the data for the endpoint of 2017 will be published in 2019)