MINISTER KITT WELCOMES IRELAND'S EXPORT GROWTH FORJANUARY - MARCH 2000

The Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., today (Thursday 6th July 2000) welcomed the 24% increase in exports recorded in the January - March 2000 trade figures, which were issued today by the Central Statistics Office.

The value of merchandise exports for January – March 2000 totalled £14.7 billion, an increase of 24% over the same period in 1999. The European Union accounted for 63% of Ireland’s exports, the Eurozone for 38% and the United States for 17%.

Exports for March 2000 totalled nearly £5.9 billion, the largest monthly figure ever recorded. Initial indications for April 2000 totalled over £4.8 billion.

Ireland’s trade surplus for January - March 2000 totalled £4.6 billion, an increase of 23% over the same period in 1999.

The Minister welcomed the continuation of Ireland’s strong export performance to the United States, which recorded a significant increase of 39% over the same period in 1999 and in totalling £2.4 billion, exceeded the total export figure for the US for 1995. Other markets showing particularly strong growth included Italy, Great Britain, Netherlands, Belgium and Japan. Industrial sectors showing significant increases in exports include chemicals, computers and electrical apparatus.