Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 2

Written Answers. - Export Levels.

Paul McGrath

Question:

17 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the latest CSO figures for external trade (details supplied) are worrying, where the January 2003 figures on exports to Great Britain, compared with the same period in 2002, show a decrease of 53%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12248/03]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

27 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she intends to take to counter the significant slowdown in exports, especially in the UK; her Department's assessment of the reasons for the decline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12262/03]

Paul McGrath

Question:

48 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the latest CSO figures for external trade (details supplied) are worrying, where the January 2003 figures on exports, compared with the same period in 2002, show a decrease of 24%. [12249/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. M. Ahern):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 27 and 48 together.

The trade statistics released by the CSO on 25 April indicated that exports in January had declined by 24% over the same month in 2002; preliminary estimates for exports in February indicate a decline of 16% over February 2002. Imports in January and February also fell, by 24% and approximately 20% respectively, in comparison with the same periods last year.

The growth in trade since 1990 has been one of the key factors in Ireland's overall economic growth, and developments in global markets will remain crucial to our economic growth in the future. The Government remains committed to doing all it can to ensure that Irish exporters are in the best position possible to take advantage of market opportunities, wherever they arise.

In this context, a decline in exports is of concern and the reasons for the decline must be examined carefully.

The statistics indicate that exports began to slow from August last year. For the year as a whole, exports grew by 1%, all of this growth came in the first part of the year. The figures recently released for January and the preliminary figures for February indicate that the trend emerging since August last year has continued into this year.

Preliminary monthly data in relation to any particular market needs to be treated with caution. Nevertheless, the downward trend is a matter of concern.

It is believed that there are a number of factors involved in this. These include the global economic climate, and in particular the uncertainty experienced in the latter part of last year and the early part of this year surrounding developments in the Persian Gulf; the rise in the value of the euro against the currencies of our two largest trading partners; and the closure of a number of export-intensive industries in Ireland over the past 18 months or so.

In order to assist indigenous exporters to cope with this difficult economic climate, the Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is assisting them by focusing on actions with "near to market" impact.

This approach is focused on internationalisation and seeking new markets by making a sustained effort to help Irish companies gain access to potential export market opportunities and raise their level of innovation both in product and process terms.

A number of new initiatives are being introduced in 2003, such as the introduction of an in-market mentor panel in the UK and in key European markets.

The current activities being undertaken by Enterprise Ireland to assist companies in internationalisation and in finding new markets include: running workshops, seminars and exploratory market visits to familiarise companies with the requirements of successful export market penetration; providing access to international market reports and undertaking research on behalf of clients, or groups of clients, to identify specific opportunities; identifying, recruiting or up-skilling key marketing personnel and specialist consultants; providing access to potential buyers/partners/distributors through individual itineraries, trade missions, participation at trade fairs or through introductions to buyers on inward missions; and providing incubator space in overseas markets for early stage market entrants and supporting these incubators with back-up services.

Question No. 18 answered with Question No. 10.

Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 8.