Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 122: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has identified positive trends in the export markets; the extent to which this will be replicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44998/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The last six years have seen many positive trends on Irish Exports. In the period 2003-2008, annual growth in total Irish exports has averaged 5.5%. Over the five years in question our Services exports have risen steadily from €37.1bn or 31.1% of total exports in 2003 to €69.2bn or 44.5% in 2008. Despite the global downturn this year, exports for the first six months of 2009 are actually marginally up on the same period in 2008.

Our performance is even more impressive when compared to that of other Member States. The latest data from the European Commission's statistical agency, EUROSTAT, shows that for the period January 2009 – August 2009, Ireland has the second largest trade surplus of the EU Member States, second only to Germany. This analysis also shows that some of the major economies in the EU, such as the UK, France and Spain recorded trade deficits and that in many Member States, exports fell by over 20%.

There are many positive trends in our export performance in terms of destination markets. Implementation of the Government's Asia Strategy has, over recent years, resulted in a significant increase in our exports to the key Asian economies, with the value of our exports having risen to over €11bn annually. Our wider programme of diversifying our markets has also resulted in significant progress in the new EU Member States, the Gulf States, Russia and Brazil. Both my colleague, the Minister for Trade and Commerce and I, have led and will continue to lead Trade Missions to significant markets to build on the momentum already achieved.

Trends for Irish owned companies continue to show significant promise. With the assistance of Enterprise Ireland, many indigenous companies, across varied sectors, are now successfully competing in world markets and providing a range of innovative goods and services.

I am confident that these trends will continue, despite the challenging world economic climate at present.