All-island trade up 0.86%

Trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland increased by 0.86% in the last quarter of 2003.

The total value of All-Island trade for the quarter was €502m, according to figures released today by cross-border trade and business development body InterTradeIreland.

Trade values have increased for two successive quarters. The main drivers behind this improvement are the chemical and chemical products sector (+20.5%), the "other manufacturing including furniture" sector (+13.7%) and the transport equipment sector (+11.1%). The combined trade value for these sectors is just under €120m.

The quarterly monitor also shows that manufacturing production volumes increased for the last quarter of 2003 in Ireland (+7.4%) and in Northern Ireland (+0.6%). There was a notable increase in production of transport equipment with output rising by 9.4% in Ireland and 6.7% in Northern Ireland between the third and fourth quarters of 2003.

Commenting on the findings, Aidan Gough, InterTradeIreland’s Director of Strategy and Policy, said:“The findings of the Quarterly Monitor show a welcome increase in trade with eight of the 12 sectors analysed showing an increase over Q3 2003.

"Total North-South trade rose by 8% in Q4 with South-North trade falling by 4.8%. In overall terms, however, cross border exports ended 2003 above their mid-year low.

"Although there has been an increase in manufacturing production in Ireland and Northern Ireland in the last quarter of 2003, the increase in Ireland was notably sharper. This follows previous trends showing an increasing production gap between North and South. Manufacturing production in Ireland now stands 36.5% above its 2000 level, compared to 4.1% in Northern Ireland."