INTERNATIONAL exports from Scottish Enterprise-backed firms have hit a record £2.46 billion, a figure the SNP have hailed as proof of Scotland's growing “reputation for innovation”.
According to data released on Monday, sales from Scottish Enterprise-backed companies reached an “unprecedented” £2.46bn, up 20% from the same period in 2023/24.
The figures were released as part of Scottish Enterprise’s annual report, which also highlighted how the firm had supported the creation or safeguarding of 15,000 real living wage jobs in the past year.
Commenting, Gordon MacDonald, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, said the report reflects how Scotland’s exporters are “flourishing on the international stage”.
“These record figures demonstrate that Scotland’s reputation for innovation continues to grow on the international stage”, he said.
“This growth is testament to the work undertaken by our development agency and the ambition, innovation and hard work of Scotland’s business community.”
Scottish Enterprise calculated that its work had contributed to £1.16bn in business capital expenditure, marking the second-highest total on record, while also helping to secure £367m in growth funding.
The record-breaking figures were celebrated during a visit to international life sciences company Piramal Pharma Solutions in Grangemouth, a key Scotland-based exporter, on Monday.
Chief executive Adrian Gillespie said: "The fact that we have achieved this historic exporting high, despite challenging global economic conditions throughout the financial year, really highlights the ambition of Scotland’s business base, and the determination of our organisation to transform Scotland’s economy.
“Our track record shows we’ve consistently delivered for Scotland. Over the last five years we’ve supported the creation and safeguarding of around 90,000 jobs – leading to an estimated £1bn in income tax contributions – as well as generating more than £530m of our own income."
MacDonald continued: “This success is even more impressive given the challenging global economic conditions and damage caused by successive governments at Westminster.
“Brexit has limited Scotland’s access to markets and talent, while Labour’s reckless decision to hike employer National Insurance Contributions has made it even more challenging for businesses to grow.
“With the fresh start of independence, Scotland would have the full powers to build on our success, by backing our exporters, start-ups and tech companies with the same tools that other small nations across Europe already enjoy.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes added: “I congratulate Scottish Enterprise on these impressive results, particularly the record figure for forecast export sales, which demonstrates international demand for Scottish goods, products and services.
"We will continue to support Scottish businesses.”
