Manufacturing exports slip 2%

SCOTLAND'S manufactured exports dropped off over the final quarter of 2007, new figures revealed today.

But despite the two per cent fourth-quarter slide, Scottish Government estimates pointed to growth of three per cent over the full year.

Within the figure there was a mixed picture with drink being the biggest faller, dropping 8.1 per cent over the final three months of the year, with combined engineering exports down by 3.6 per cent.

However, the two sectors saw growth of 4.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent over the whole year and were key contributors to the annual expansion.

Scotland's finance secretary John Swinney said no country could "isolate itself" from the prevailing weakening of global economic conditions.