Hike in exports good news but not enough

WE had some good news this week, so let’s acknowledge it here and now.

Exports hit a record €161 billion last year, an increase of 6.7%, and look set to hit fresh heights this year with a return of €172.6bn projected by the Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) for 2011.

While multinationals account for about 75% of the total, the increase bears out the view that this economy has become more competitive.