‘Amazingly strong’ year for exports

Irish exports enjoyed “an amazingly strong year” in 2012, growing by 5%, or twice the world trade average.

The Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) said the showing — export value surging by €9bn to reach a record high of €183bn — shows a strong return to competitiveness in many of the country’s businesses; although the services sector — with an 11% increase — drove export growth, with no growth evident in the area of manufactured goods exported.

Ireland consolidated its position as ninth largest global exporter of services during 2012. The country has also grown exports by €28bn since the economic crash of 2007.