The figures come as over two hundred property industry delegates gather in Edinburgh for the Scottish Property Federation's annual conference later today.
The Scottish Property Federation is calling for the Scottish government to implement a step change in reforming the planning system; no increase in the cost of empty property rates; pragmatic climate change regulations to improve the energy efficiency of homes and business premises in the light of continuing economic fragility; incentives to support economic development, for example exemption from rates for speculative development for new commercial property; and new infrastructure investment to boost the economy.
The federation claims poor economic data would justify these measures, citing retail vacancy rates at 26% in some parts of Scotland, an estimated 28,000 jobs lost in the commercial property sector and research from Warwick University suggesting as many as one in four SMEs believing they will close by 2014.
David Peck, chairman of the Scottish Property Federation, said: "Commercial property is an important bellwether for the Scottish economy.
“The health of the industry is down by every measure - be it new orders, sales or lettings.
“Government support for initiatives such as tax increment financing and encouraging flexible developer contributions policies by local authorities is very welcome, but we are asking the government to go further to boost confidence in this key sector.”
"The commercial property industry has been hit harder than most sectors during this recession, losing around a third of its workforce and reducing its contribution to the economy by more than £2bn.
“The SPF is urging the Scottish Government to do what it can to help us unlock economic growth and development in order to deliver a strong private sector that will in turn support key public services'.
Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for infrastructure and capital investment the Scottish Government and keynote speaker at today's conference, added: “The property sector plays a key role in Scotland's economic fortunes - not just in terms of GDP and employment - but by delivering the homes, offices and places which can attract investment.
"That is why we are taking every action we can to drive the economy and assist the property sector on the ground.
"We have published our priorities for investment in the Infrastructure investment plan and the government economic strategy sets out what we want to achieve and how we will do this.
"We are investing in the economic infrastructure which will ensure Scotland is well connected - which is vital to our country's economic prospects.
"We are also creating the conditions for businesses to grow and invest. We have created the cities investment fund and announced the creation of enterprise areas.
"And this is good news for the property sector which is responsible for building the premises needed for new and expanding businesses."
