With the Euro-Sterling exchange rate 7.6% below the monthly average of last year , and the Euro-Dollar exchange rate 7.9% below last year’s average, the Irish Exporters Association stated that “the euro’s sharp slide should provide a welcome boost for Irish exports”.

This currency variation on its own, in monetary terms, equates to an addition €1 Billion of exports to the UK and an additional €1.7 Billion to the US.

However, John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, said that a boost in Irish Exports needs to be facilitated…

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters association, has warmly welcomed the visit of incoming Chinese president, Xi Jiping, to the island of Ireland. Whelan was very optimistic on a number of fr9onts in regards the visit as he sees huge potential in regards Chinese foreign direct investment in Ireland, increasing export trade into the EU through Chinese companies basing operations in Ireland, and the potential for a “Special Export Zone” to attract Chinese investment.

As well publicised, a number of important trade agreements were signed between Ireland and China over the past three days,…

For the first time in 5 months, the JP Morgan manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) displayed an increase in manufacturing output. The December global value stood at 50.8 and represented an expansion as any index value over 50 indicates an expansion in the manufacturing sector.

US manufacturing increased by 3.3% in December. Global jobs growth also hit a 5 month high, despite a relatively weak performance by Asia and the Eurozone economies.

In regards Irish exporters, any upturn in global economics is indeed very welcome indeed.

2011 has proven to be a milestone year for indigenous Irish Exporters with indigenous Irish firms increasing exports by half a million euro to bring the total value of indigenous exports to €14.7 Bn.

50% of exports from Irish companies were in the food sector, who experienced not only a rise in volume, but a rise in value, according to Frank Ryan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland also predicts that the total figures for 2011 will exceed the previous record set for exports by Irish firms back in 2008. Over €1 billion of exports in 2011 were classified as being in the “new export sales category”.