US multinationals fuel export growth

EXPORTS by US multinational groups in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors were key engines of export growth in the first 10 months of 2002.

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office show exports over the 10 months on a seasonally adjusted basis slowed rapidly compared with the same period in 2001.

Seasonally adjusted exports in October 2002 fell to €6,975m in October 2002, which is a decrease of €653m on the September figure. Imports also declined by €177m to €3,896m.