More help needed as exports set to rise

THE overall value of Irish exports should rise by over 3% this year, but more needs to be done to support the growing services sector, according to the industry’s main representative body.

In its latest half-year report, the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) has forecast a 3.4% rise to around €154 billion in the value of exports of goods and services out of Ireland this year.

While welcoming the growth, the IEA has warned that a translation into more jobs may not become a reality until “some time in 2011” and that more needs to be done to turn the upswing into real sustainable export-led growth.