Minister: Irish companies can compete with the best in the world

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD said today that companies in Ireland can “compete with the very best on the global stage”.

He was speaking after CSO figures revealed that the value of exports in 2012 was at €182.182bn, a 5.5% increase.

Total exports in 2012 were 16% higher than the 2007 figure, and are now at their highest level ever.

“A strong export performance will be crucial to delivering the economic recovery we are all working so hard to achieve,” said Minister Bruton.

“Through the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is determined to rebuild a sustainable economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports, and we are delivering on measures to deepen and develop the impact of multinational investment here and to make it easier for Irish companies to export more.

“It is clear to me from the trade and investment missions I have travelled on that while conditions in international markets remain difficult, Irish companies and multinational companies based in Ireland are working very hard and can compete with the very best on the global stage.

“Other positive signs including the major jobs announcements we have seen recently – including the 260 jobs announced today by Yahoo and McAfee – as well as the GDP figures released today show that there are real reasons for optimism about the transition that is occurring in our economy.

“Today’s figures also show that the ICT sector, which is a particular target in the Government’s plans, is performing extremely strongly with a 15% increase in computer services exports in 2012.

“Since we have taken office more than 11,000 additional jobs have been created in ICT, and today’s export figures show that we are well-placed to continue this jobs growth.”