This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Latest manufactured exports estimates
08/10/2003
The Executive's long term strategy for
economic growth has been widely endorsed and there
is therefore a need to hold our nerve despite current
difficulties, Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace said
today.
He was commenting as the Scottish
Manufactured Exports 2003 (Quarter 2) figures were
published.
He said:
"These statistics are disappointing,
if not unexpected.
They confirm that international trading
conditions were very difficult over the second quarter of
this year.
"These difficulties are directly
related to the down turn in the major global economies over
that time, most notably in the Eurozone economies and also
in the United States. Although I take a little comfort from
the positive performance in some areas, including metals,
transport equipment and chemicals, I recognise that these
were very difficult times for Scottish exporters.
"There are now signs emerging that the
situation is improving with some recent business surveys
such as the Royal Bank of Scotland Purchasing Managers'
Index suggesting that the manufacturing, as well as the
service, sector is slowly returning to growth as
international trading conditions ease a little.
"The Executive remains absolutely
committed to manufacturing in Scotland and will do all we
can to help drive the sector forward.
"It is a crucial part of our economy and we
are doing much to help, ranging from immediate measures
such as freezing business rates for small and medium-sized
businesses to spending that will equip Scotland with a
higher skilled and educated workforce in the future.
"In addition, we are investing in
Modern Apprenticeships, 5,000 of which focus on
manufacturing and engineering. We also reconvened the
Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group last year and are now
following up most of its recommendations."
Statistics published today by the Executive show that
in 2003 Q2, manufactured export sales decreased by 2.7 per
cent in real terms and by 0.5 per cent in cash terms,
compared with the previous quarter.
Over the year to 2003 Q2, manufactured export
sales decreased by 21.5 per cent in real terms and by
18.4 per cent in cash terms.