A new survey from the Royal Bank of Scotland has shown that Scotland's employment rate has continued to grow.
The figures from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which comes from over 600 companies on the banks' Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), suggested continued economic growth in 2015.
Although the PMI suggested greater economic expansion and further employment, the report warned that growth was likely to slow, with the 2015 economy building on the "solid footing" from the previous year.
December 2014 represented the joint-fastest growth for new business creation in the last five months, with employment rising at one of the fastest rates seen in the 17 year survey.
Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said that the report provided "more encouraging news for Scotland".
He added: "Employment levels have risen among the fastest in the 17-year survey history and private sector business activity continues to rise solidly."
Export Issues
Although the report promises much for the Scottish economy and shows signs of improvement regarding employment and expansion in the upcoming year, exporting remains a concern for economists. The RBS survey found that export orders fell for the tenth time in eleven months, with experts highlighting the economic decline of the Eurozone for the slump.
Donald MacRae said: "Both manufacturing and services sectors employed more people and experienced welcome increases in the level of new orders.
"However, new export orders fell for the 10th time in 11 months, confirming the challenges of exporting to the largely stagnant eurozone economies"
He added: "The Scottish economy continued to recover in the second half of 2014 and looks set to expand during 2015, but with growth easing compared to the high levels of the first six months of 2014."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "With further improvements in economic conditions expected this year, this should bring opportunities for business and greater financial security for households across the country.
"Whilst the survey highlights that conditions for exporters remain challenging - particularly with continued weakness in some of Scotland's key export markets - the PMI still points to a solid end to 2014."
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