SCC comment on British Chambers Economic Survey

Tuesday 5th April 2011

Commenting on the publication today (5 April) of British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the first quarter of 2011, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“From a Scottish perspective, this survey reveals that our manufacturing businesses are continuing to do well against a challenging economic backdrop.  In particular, exports remain strong and the recovery is still heavily reliant on international trade.  Our service sector appears less buoyant, indicating that consumer demand is still subdued.  Competition is strong in the marketplace and it is clear from the survey results that it is smaller businesses that are likely to suffer most from rising costs, as they are less likely to be able to absorb these.

“Scotland is also only now beginning to experience the full effects of cuts in public spending and the next Scottish Government will face important challenges in ensuring that our businesses are set free to succeed, to grow and to create jobs.

“Next week we will be publishing our own, more detailed Scottish Quarterly Business Survey, where we will be analysing the strength of our various industry sectors in more depth.  This will be a crucial analysis of our economy as the Scottish elections approach.”

Ends.

Editors’ Notes:

Scottish Chambers of Commerce published their pre-Scottish Election policy document ‘Going for Growth 2011’ on 31 March 2011.  A copy can be found at: http://www.scottishchambers.org.uk/press-policy/policy-papers

Scottish Chambers of Commerce will publish its Quarterly Business Survey for the first quarter of 2011 on Thursday 14 April 2011

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