THE 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be a "powerful catalyst" for economic growth, regeneration and promoting healthy lifestyles, Scotland's sports minister told the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Sri Lanka.

Shona Robison said a survey found the event has captured the imagination of young people, with 94% of 11 to 18-year-olds interested in the Games and a third of them wanting to watch the sports live at venues.

She addressed the Commonwealth Games Federation, which is part of the heads of government meeting in Colombo.

Ms Robison is the first Scottish Government minister to be invited to address the meeting.

The Sport And Commonwealth Games Minister told the leaders of the Commonwealth's sports federations that Scotland was ready to "welcome the world" next year.

She said: "It's fitting that we are in Sri Lanka, for this is the country in which Scotland won the bid to host the Commonwealth Games back in 2007.

"Research published today shows that, across Scotland, we are already seeing the economic and social benefits of hosting the Games.

"These figures show the Games is also a power­ful catalyst for economic growth, regeneration and encouraging us all to leave healthier and more active lives."

The latest update from the Scottish Government's legacy assessment found the use of local authority leisure facilities is up from 2008 and the amount that the sports and recreation sector contributes to the Scottish economy has risen 15% since 2008 to £508 million.

Ms Robison added: "Scotland currently has £1.8 billion of exports to the Commonwealth - excluding the UK - and we aim to strengthen these economic links through activity such as staging a Commonwealth Games business conference on the eve of the event, which I announced this week."