Exports remain stable
The value of goods and services exported by businesses here remained stable between the first two months of this year, according to data released today by the Central Statistics Office.
The preliminary seasonally adjusted figures for February 2010 show that, relative to January 2010, our exports remained stable at just under €7bn while the value of imports increased by 3pc to just over €3.5 bn.
However the value of exports fell by 8% between February 2009 and the same month this year.
The value of imports also fell during the same period - but by 14%
Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher described the figures as "encouraging".
He pointed out that our medical and pharmaceutical exports rose by 18%.
Our exports to the US and China also showed healthy increases.
'These trends show the resilience of Irish exporters in difficult times and they reinforce the Government’s work in promoting an export-led recovery," Minister Kelleher said.
‘Net exports are a significant contributor to gross domestic product growth and our continued strong export performance is a key factor in contributing to our economic recovery."
