New figures published by HMRC show that Scotland’s exports increased by 6% in 2018, double the growth rate for the UK as a whole.
That growth rate was driven by a 14% increase in Scottish goods exported to the European Union (EU).
However, the SNP Government analysis has found that Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal could hit Scottish exporters through higher costs, loss of competitiveness or production delays.
The SNP has reiterated that Theresa May’s bad Brexit deal must not be allowed to jeopardise Scotland’s booming trade with Europe.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“The news that Scottish exports to the EU have increased by 14% in a single year, serves to show the huge potential for growing Scotland’s economy by trading with our European partners. The EU, even after Brexit, will be a market of 445 million people, yet the Tories want to take us out of the EU and its single market against the wishes of the 62% of Scots who voted to remain.
“These new figures show just how important the EU is as a destination for Scottish exports, underlines how damaging the Prime Minister’s proposed Brexit deal could be and how an independent Scotland within the EU could thrive.”
ENDS
