SCOTLAND'S private-sector economy contracted for the first time in 20 months in September, prompting fears the country may struggle to exit recession this year.
According to the Bank of Scotland Purchasing Managers Index report, the sector slipped into reverse last month as the eurozone crisis took a heavy toll on Scottish firms. The headline output index reading fell from 50.3 in August to 49.6 in September – the first reading below the 50 mark since December 2010.
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