Exports for 2004 ‘disappointing’

OPTIMISM that Irish exporters would enjoy strong growth in 2004 has not materialised, the industry reported yesterday.

The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) said in its year-end statement that exports last year increased by just 3% to €119 billion. In the final three months of 2004, exports declined by 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2003.

The Association’s chief executive John Whelan said his members had been confident of a good performance following a positive start to 2004. But higher oil prices and the fall in the value of the dollar against the euro impacted export growth.