Export stats highlight EU market's contribution

Junior Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Michael Ahern has said that the 2% increase in Ireland's exports in the first nine months of this year highlights the importance of EU markets.

The European Union accounted for 63% of the exports, with sales to Belgium increasing by 228%.

Ireland's exports to Britain, the US, Switzerland and China also grew in the nine months to the end of September.

The level of exports to Germany, France, the Netherlands, Japan and the Philippines fell during the same period.

Overall, Ireland's trade surplus increased by 8% between January and September.