Scottish Development International has been told to up its game on exporting.
The Scottish Parliament’s powerful economy committee said a lack of ambition was evident in the exporting support targets set for the agency.
The comments following an inquiry by the committee which is headed by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser into why Scottish firms are so reticent about entering new overseas markets.
The group particularly focused on the barriers faced by small and medium-sized firms when implementing an export strategy.
Figures contained in the report show that exports by small firms defined by an employee base of less than 50 staff fell by 3% or £135 million between 2012 and 2013.
Medium-sized firms (50-249 staff) fared better, with international exports increasing by £1.1 billion during the year.
However, the committee was concerned that so few companies made up the bulk of Scottish exports. Just 100 firms are responsible for more than 60% of total exports.
In its report, the committee congratulated SDI on the “recent significant increase” in the number of businesses it was offering export advice to.
However, it said the agency should be set “more challenging” targets, and success should be measured by the number of companies supported to export rather than simply by the value of goods sold abroad.
“From salmon to whisky to our universities, Scotland has had some real success stories overseas,” Mr Fraser said.
“Breaking into lucrative overseas markets can be time-consuming, costly and difficult to do.
“Whilst there is positive work being undertaken to increase Scotland’s export potential, it was clear from the course of our inquiry that our agencies must be more ambitious.
“The committee believes this will help to deliver the step change Scotland needs if we are to replicate the success of some of Scotland’s most well-known international brands.”
The current aim of the Scottish Government is to increase export activity by 50% by 2017.