Scotland could struggle to meet export targets as a result of "significant cuts" to the enterprise budget, the Scottish Conservatives have warned.

The party has urged the Scottish Government to do more to help boost exports from businesses in the face of Brexit.

MSPs were debating a report on the impact of leaving the European Union on exports, inward investment, and labour and employment rights.

Holyrood's Economy Committee has said an ''increased effort'' is needed to encourage firms to export both to the EU and beyond.

It argued Scottish businesses should be given more Government support to expand into emerging markets such as China and India as the UK prepares to leave.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart cited evidence to the committee that more than 50% of Scottish exports are generated by only 50 companies.

He said: "The concern was raised that we have a very low level of exporting amongst our businesses, especially small and medium-sized business.

"We share this concern. We must look to expand and diversify our export base in order to make the economy more competitive."

Mr Lockhart said Economy Secretary Keith Brown had acknowledged to the committee more needs to be done, highlighting the Government's ongoing review of its enterprise agencies with the aim of boosting internationalisation.

He added: "We do welcome the review of the enterprise agencies but remain deeply concerned about the ongoing significant cuts being made to the enterprise budget as this will make progress in this area all the more difficult.

"Scottish Enterprise have confirmed to the Economy Committee that over 120,000 new business are required in Scotland in order to meet export targets.

"Cutting the enterprise budget by more than 40% over the past five years is not in our view the way to achieve this."

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie echoed the concerns, saying there is an important role for Scottish Enterprise to increase the capacity of businesses to export.

She said: "And yet at this critical time the SNP Government has cut the budget of Scottish Enterprise by 48% in real terms since 2009, the very agency which is in charge of economic development within Scotland.

"And this is the same Government who proclaim that growing the Scottish economy is a priority."

Responding to the debate, Brexit Minister Mike Russell said Scotland's economy is strong but there is "no room for complacency".

He said: "We broadly share the committee's concerns on trade, sectors, inward investment, the labour market and rising inflation.

"We are already taking a number of actions that will impact in these areas. For instance the enterprise and skills review is examining how better we can support efforts to internationalise the Scottish economy, improve the range and quality of data and enhance the supply of skills."

Mr Russell accused a "gung-ho" UK Government of "culpable and reckless conduct" in its approach to Brexit, arguing it has presented "no coherent plan to see the UK through the tumultuous period which will start when the Prime Minister triggers Article 50".