The Scottish Government must do more to help increase exports to the rest of the world after the UK voted to leave the European Union, a Holyrood committee has said.

Statistics released last month showed Scotland exports £4.1bn more goods to the rest of the world than it does with countries in the EU.

In an initial report into the potential impact of leaving the EU on exports and other business practices by the economy committee, MSPs said "now is the time to maximise on opportunities in growing markets such as China and India".

Despite the population sizes of both countries, China accounted for only 2.1% of the country's exports in 2015 while India has not been one of the Scotland's top 20 export destinations since 2007.

The report also states it is "clear from evidence received that more needs to be done to support and encourage Scottish businesses, especially small to medium enterprises (SMEs), to export both to the EU and beyond".

The committee says its members expect "this to be addressed by the Scottish Government and enterprise agencies as part of the ongoing enterprise and skills review".

The committee's convener, Gordon Lindhurst, said: "The committee is calling on the Scottish Government to redouble its efforts in encouraging and supporting businesses to export."

"The need to support SMEs is more crucial than ever. The committee cannot overstate the importance of continuing to promote the growth of indigenous businesses, and it is vital that the right balance is struck between supporting foreign direct investment and home grown businesses."

He added: "Crucially, the valuable knowledge, experience and expertise of Scotland's businesses should be central to any renewed policy.

"Scotland has always been an outward looking country that has much to give the rest of the world.

"The committee is urging the Scottish Government and enterprise agencies to engage with businesses based in Scotland to understand what specific support is needed from sector to sector and region to region."

In response tot he report, a Scottish Government spokesman said: "Brexit is by far the biggest threat to Scotland's jobs, prosperity and economy - and the Prime Minister's pursuit of a hard Brexit and ongoing uncertainty around legislation only increases that threat.

"The Scottish Government is working on an ambitious programme of internationalisation, including measures to broaden Scotland's export base and grow exports beyond traditional markets, such as establishing a new Trade Board, that will take forward this important work alongside new hubs in Dublin, Brussels, London and Berlin and our planned network of trade envoys.

"The Scottish Government will continue to work to mitigate and overcome the damage Brexit will cause before, and after, the UK Government triggers Article 50. In everything it does, the Scottish Government will continue to seek agreement in the best interests of the people of Scotland."

Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Dean Lockhart said: ''This report is a welcome addition to the debate on the EU and Scotland's trading relationships.

"The committee heard from several expert witnesses who stressed the importance of Scotland retaining a free trading relationship with the rest of the UK, as it is over four times more important than our trade with the rest of the EU.

''This report also highlights the need to better equip our companies to deal in foreign markets, especially with significant opportunities to expand our trade in China and India."

He added: ''As the report itself concludes: it is clear from evidence received that more needs to be done to support and encourage Scottish businesses to export to the EU and beyond.

''It is now up to this SNP government to work together with the UK Government in the upcoming negotiations to make sure that we get the best possible deal for Scotland and the UK."