Scotland's economic links with the rest of the world were strengthened in 2010, with exports increasing by £355 million to reach £22 billion.

The ninth Global Connections Survey shows that manufacturing exports rose by £595 million, enough to offset a drop in service exports.

The top five exporting industries, accounting for around 60 percent of total exports, were food and beverages, chemicals, business services, electrical and instrument engineering and mechanical engineering.

The United States remains the top destination for Scottish exports with the Netherlands, France and Germany the next most lucrative markets.

Trade with the rest of the UK remains strong with exports worth over £44 billion in 2010, including £24 billion in service exports and £13 billion in manufacturing exports.

Find out more on the SDI website.