It is difficult to assess the business year of 2012 without being a little downbeat, writes Graham Huband, business editor.
There have been successes notably the reinvigoration of the oil-and- gas industry, which culminated in the largest field investment decision in more than a decade just last week but the general picture is of an economy treading water if not back-pedalling.
The high street continues to struggle in the battle with the online giants. Begbies Traynor this week reported that as many as 140 firms were in a critical condition financially following tough Christmas trading.
Meanwhile, there has not been much to shout about in terms of manufacturing and the services sector.
Scotland’s tourist trade was buoyed by the Brave phenomenon and the continuing trend for holidaying at home, while the food sector has done well on the back of international demand for products such as Scottish smoked salmon the delicacy is now being enjoyed at an increasing number of dinner tables in China following the strategically important relaxation of trade restrictions with the Asian superpower.
However, the construction sector continues to drag against the UK economy like a weighty anchor.
The trade has been decimated by the recession, and the outlook for construction firms remains bleak next year. The Scottish Building Federation this week said it expected an acceleration of job losses in the New Year on the back of 8,000 posts being lost during 2012.
Many of the issues curtailing business development as we go into next year are the same as those which existed as 2012 blinked into life.
The banks are adamant that funding is available, but you do not have to lift the lid on the business community very far to find dozens of examples of companies struggling to access the finance they need to develop and grow.
The public-sector spending squeeze being overseen by Chancellor George Osborne is also having an escalating effect on business prospects.
Many companies that banked in years past on picking up public-sector contracts have suddenly found the tap running dry and been forced into reshaping their offering for the significantly more competitive commercial marketplace.
For many the process of forced change has been painful, with restructuring inevitably leading to job losses and downsizing.
With the hand around the neck of the public purse set to tighten, there do not appear to be many reasons to celebrate.
But perhaps there is good reason to raise a glass this Christmas.
The rise and rise of the whisky trade has continued unabated.
With billions of pounds being invested in the sector over the next five years, the warm glow that drinkers of Scotland’s national tipple enjoy is also bringing some much-needed warmth to the country’s economy.
So cheers and let us all hope for better times ahead for everyone in 2013.
business@thecourier.co.uk