Scottish business leaders are overwhelmingly supportive of the UK staying within the European Union.
A new major survey published by Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) found Scottish firms were strongly pro-Europe in their outlook and were keen to engage in the forthcoming referendum debate.
A UK-wide in/out referendum on the subject will be held in 2017 but the SCC survey found the vast majority of Scottish firms were in favour of retaining the status quo.
“The results of this detailed survey of Scottish business opinion make for essential reading for our politicians,” SCC chief executive Liz Cameron said.
“Contrary to some opinion, it is clear that business people are taking a keen interest in the debate on our future relationship with Europe.”
Scottish firms export more than £12.9 billion of goods to the EU on an annual basis and Ms Cameron said the majority of survey respondents had indicated they wanted the UK’s trade links with Europe to be preserved.
“If an in-out referendum was held tomorrow, 73% of respondents indicated they would vote to remain in the EU, with that figure rising to 90% for large companies,” Ms Cameron said.
The survey found 45% of survey respondents were likely to be influenced by what emerged from Prime Minister David Cameron efforts to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU.
However, more than a quarter said they were completely unfamiliar with what that reform package may contain.
Ms Cameron said the UK Government had to “up its game” in terms of communicating with and listening to businesses on the “vital” issue.