Enterprise Ireland said this morning that its client companies’ export sales in 2012 broke the €16bn mark for the first time, with the greatest wins coming from sectors such as engineering, software, internationally traded services and medical devices.
Enterprise Ireland’s CEO Frank Ryan said that client companies achieved €16.2bn in exports in 2012, with such companies continuing to broaden their export footprint and increase their sales.
Exports were up €1bn from €15.2bn in sales achieved in 2011, according to Ryan, who announced the figures at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in Dublin this morning.
Despite increasing challenges across all global markets, Ryan said Irish companies managed to widen their export reach.
“It is especially encouraging to see significant gains in established markets like North America, the high-growth economies of Asia-Pacific and record performances from advanced engineering, software and medical-device sectors,” said Ryan.
He said the companies Enterprise Ireland works with are responsible for 300,000 jobs and spend more than €18bn in the Irish economy each year.
Enterprise Ireland is now planning to increase its activities in order to help its clients win new export business and build international networks and partnerships.
This year, ministerial-led Enterprise Ireland trade missions will have a greater focus on high-growth economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Enterprise Ireland said this trade mission focus will be backed up by a range of inward buyer visits, study visits, trade fairs, embassy events and knowledge seminars. The goal of these events will be to link Irish companies with international buyers.