The Irish Exporters Association (IEA), the body representing all export industry, today (Wed 28^th of January 2009) said that the Social Partnership process must not only deliver on Public Expenditure reduction, but also focus on immediate and effective actions to get export industry through the global economic crises.

IEA Chief Executive John Whelan said:

"Real help for exporters is needed now to prevent further rapid deterioration in export sales and job losses. Sales orders are being lost daily and long term damage to many export sectors will occur unless immediate actions are taken."

He went on to say:

"We welcome the positive response of the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan, to the IEA and IFA proposals to address the major difficulties faced by companies with heavy exposure to the Sterling market and those affected in their sales activities by restricted Credit insurance facilities. However, we stress the need for immediate actions by Government to be taken now to implement these schemes in the national interest."

Whelan continued:

"Decisive actions are needed now to support the export sector to compete in what are rapidly deteriorating economic conditions. Small and medium sized exporters are particularly vulnerable by the deepening global economic recession, the sharp depreciation of Sterling and the US Dollar and the credit crunch."

"Besides the cost base adjustments which all exporters are already implementing themselves and the overdue reductions in the cost of state services including electricity, new strategies are needed to enable exporters to become more competitive and return to a growth path."

"The IEA is fully committed to the Social Partnership approach to resolving our current difficulties, but stresses the need for it's Export Stimulus Package to be built in the proposed new Framework- to enable Irish export industry to come out stronger and more competitive when the global economic upturn does arrive."

End.

For more information, please contact:

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association
Tel: 01- 661 2182

Mob: 087-927-1243