Services exports up 8.4% in H1

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton has welcomed latest figures from the CSO which show services exports in the first half of 2011 up 8.4% on the first half of 2010.

This data shows that Ireland’s services exports for the second quarter of 2011 reached a new quarterly record of nearly €20bn (€19.888bn) representing an increase of 7.3% on the same quarter in 2010.

“A strong export performance will be crucial in driving the recovery in the wider economy," said Minister Bruton in South Carolina, where he is leading a group of 67 companies on a trade mission to the US."

"Today’s figures, the latest in a growing body of evidence of high levels of performance in manufacturing and exports, show that an export-led recovery is becoming a real possibility.

"This is particularly welcome at a time when we are receiving mixed news about the global economy."

Computer services is the largest services export category, with exports of €15.7bn in the first half of this year, an increase of 15% on the first six months of 2010.

Other categories showing strong performances were insurance, financial services and tourism.