If the UK does ultimately vote to leave the European Union it could have disastrous consequences for Irish firms. Several major business groups and think tanks outline here what they think could happen,

Iran will soon be open for business, following the agreement reached on July 14 with the EU, US, China, and Russia on cessation of its nuclear programme.

Ireland has the capacity to become a new technology hub for central and Eastern European firms looking to access the US market, according to professional services giant, PwC.

Foreign multinationals in the information and communications technology sector continue to dominate as the country’s largest exporters.

IF the economy is to break out of its current impasse, it will almost certainly require a sustained uplift in exports by Irish-owned firms, and for this to occur, our exporters must begin to cash in on the growth occurring in emerging market countries.

A multinational firm with its European headquarters in Cork has been acquired by an American company for €36m.

With the State poised to re-access the bond markets, the economy has slid back into recession just as we thought we were beginning to find a way out of the crisis, writes Dara Doyle

Budget 2014 must be the last austerity-led adjustment if investors’ confidence in Ireland is to grow, the Irish Exporters’ Association has warned.

The patent cliff continues to eat into exports as a number of high-profile drugs, including Lipitor and Viagra, left Irish export figures drooping.

The main representative body for the country’s 13,000 manufacturing export companies has called for a major growth stimulus package to safeguard Ireland’s export industry and economic growth prospects.

Kinsale’s Blue Haven Food Company has been selected by the Smurfit School of Business and the Irish Exporters’ Association as a case study to develop its business into the US market.

China is set to overtake the likes of France and Japan to become Ireland’s fourth largest export destination by 2030, the Irish Exporters’ Association has forecast.

Bank of Ireland has kept its forecasts for the country’s economic growth unchanged, despite recent figures showing GDP growth of 0.2% in the third quarter of 2012.

Irish exports enjoyed “an amazingly strong year” in 2012, growing by 5%, or twice the world trade average.

European regulators are reportedly preparing to object to Ryanair’s proposed €694m takeover of Aer Lingus.

The Central Bank report on Irish credit conditions drew widespread support from business organisations.

The most comprehensive socio-economic review ever conducted in North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick will be launched in Co Clare today.

THE outlook for exports in 2012 is one of “sluggish growth”, the sector’s main representative body has said.

EXPORTERS remain confident about their prospects in 2012, but most also have major concerns about business conditions here.

The Taoiseach confirmed yesterday that the next budget would be announced on December 6, 2011.

EXPORT performance, which is generally viewed as the main driver of growth for the economy, is likely to be less impressive than initially forecast.

THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and global air cargo company Lynxs are to sign a heads of agreement today concerning a proposed €12 million international air cargo hub being established at Shannon Airport.

IRELAND’S export market remains on course for above average growth of around 9% this year, on the back of a strong first-half showing — especially in the food sector.

FOREIGN-OWNED multinational companies account for more than 75% of Ireland’s total annual exports, new figures show.

CAN Ireland be the Silicon Valley for food? Maybe. This is the verdict after the latest analysis of the sector at the inaugural National Food & Agribusiness Conference at Croke Park in Dublin.

IRELAND’s trade surplus grew by 33% to €3.83 billion in February on the back of a continuing strong export performance.

THE Central Bank has lowered its growth forecast for the Irish economy for the third time in a row but still predicts GDP to grow by 0.9% this year, compared to the IMF’s prediction of 0.5%.

EXPORT performance cannot continue to be relied upon as the sole driver of the country’s economic growth, representatives have warned.

FUEL prices in Ireland are now one of the highest in Europe, having increased 26% since this time last year.

IRELAND can increase the value of its exports to Asia by €10 billion per annum inside five years if current plans are fully implemented, the Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) claims.

WE had some good news this week, so let’s acknowledge it here and now.

Dublin: The president of the Irish Exporters’ Association has called on the Taoiseach and key members of Cabinet to hold face-to-face meetings with key exporters to devise a joint plan which will ensure that the export sector of the Irish economy can continue to grow and compete internationally.

THE GOVERNMENT should introduce a special tax regime aimed at encouraging more entrepreneurs to establish export-orientated companies, the Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) has recommended.

THE Irish Exporters’ Association has announced a five-point recovery plan to generate 140,000 jobs in exports to the EU region over the next three years.

THE Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) has called for the Government to act swiftly to aid companies, reliant on the export of their goods, that are failing to attain credit insurance cover.

MANY Irish exporting companies are facing potential ruin as they find it harder to get credit insurance cover, according to the Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA).

The number of people claiming jobless benefits jumped by 71% last year and the total is set to breach the 300,000 barrier in coming weeks, alarming figures showed today.

IRISH exports fell by €6 billion last year with industry chiefs yesterday warning of worse to come with the possible loss of 35,000 jobs over the next 12 months.

IN THE horse trading in Geneva, EU farmers were sold out again within a few hours.

IRISH people travelling to the US are to face tighter restrictions by having to register their personal details online in advance of their trip.

The Irish Exporters’ Association has estimated Ireland’s overall energy bill could increase by €2.6 billion per year if Ireland is to meet targets set out by the EU Commission for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy production.