Enterprise Ireland celebrates record results for export sales and encourages Irish businesses to start accounting for Brexit and expanding in Europe.

Enterprise Ireland’s annual results from 2016 noted a slump in growth in UK markets from 12pc in 2015 to just 2pc last year.

“Companies now can realise that Brexit has happened, that they have to take steps. And we want to work with companies to get them to look at the opportunities in our home market, the Eurozone,” said Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon as she launched the agency’s Eurozone Market Strategy 2017-2020.

Last month, Enterprise Ireland launched the Brexit SME Scorecard, an online platform where indigenous Irish businesses can self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six pillars. The State agency has also embarked on a Brexit roadshow across Ireland to support clients in preparing and planning for Brexit.

Words by Elaine Burke