THE rate of expansion in Scotland's private sector slowed last month, pointing to low or no growth for the rest of the year.

The chief economist of Bank of Scotland, Donald MacRae, claimed the latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) showed the country made little progress in July. Mr MacRae added: "The Scottish economy is struggling to maintain growth momentum in the face of the global slowdown. Low or no growth is in prospect for the rest of 2012."

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