Goods exports last year hit highest level since 2002

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, welcomed the latest goods trade figures published by the Central Statistics Office, which showed that goods exports in 2012 increased on 2011 levels to hit €92billion, the highest figure since 2002.

In parallel, latest available figures show that services exports for the first nine months of 2012 are up over 11% on the equivalent period in 2011, meaning that the annual overall increase in exports for 2012 is likely to be significant. Minister Bruton said: “A strong export performance will be crucial to delivering the economic recovery we are all working so hard to achieve. Through the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is determined to rebuild a sustainable economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports, and we are delivering on measures to deepen and develop the impact of multinational investment here and to make it easier for Irish companies to export more.

“Conditions in international markets remain difficult, but today’s record figures show that Irish exporters are performing extraordinarily well in a tough environment. Other recent signs including the major jobs announcements we have seen recently show that there are real reasons for optimism about the transition that is occurring in our economy. “The challenge now is to build on these strengths.

Through the Action Plan for Jobs and also through the Irish Presidency of the EU I am determined to continue implementing change to make it easier for Irish exporters. Even today we have seen the very welcome news of major progress on the EU-US trade agenda which we have identified as a top priority of the Irish Presidency, and which could bring benefits of over €100million per annum to Irish exporters if successfully concluded.

“Major challenges remain but I am convinced that with continued strong implementation we can help drive for the export-led jobs recovery we need”. <