merrion street

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton today welcomed the latest external merchandise trade statistics, released by the CSO, for January 2011 and preliminary figures for February 2011.

Minister Bruton, who is returning from an Enterprise Ireland organised trade mission to India and Saudi Arabia said...

following impressive figures last month for the full year 2010, today’s figures show that seasonally adjusted exports increased by 11% in February 2011, while imports decreased by 3%, leading to an increase of 33% in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus of €3.83 billion.

The preliminary figures for February 2011 show a strong growth of 14% on February 2010. I am pleased that this re-assuring positive trend in the growth in our exports over recent months has been maintained.

Minister Bruton continued...

The Government’s policy of improving Ireland’s competitiveness continues to be a priority and the trade figures now being achieved are a reflection of the Governments efforts in this regard.

The Minister concluded...

Irish companies are widening their market reach, expanding into new international markets, opening up new business. This is borne out by the statistics showing Irish exports are at an all time high which will be key to our economic recovery,