The Irish Exporters Association(IEA) welcomed the initiative announced by Taoiseach Brian Cowan TD, to the Social partners in Government buildings at noon today, to develop a new national plan in conjunction with business, unions and social representatives, to tackle the unprecedented economic decline facing the economy.

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, on emerging from the meeting in Government buildings stated:

‘’There is clearly a need for a new national plan to bridge the gap between current 2008 government expenditure and an income level which has fallen back to that of ten years ago.

However, I also raised the issue that many exporters may not last while a new longer term plan is put into place and immediate action is also needed to support the sector. In particular , I mentioned the plight of exporters to the UK faced with a 20% exchange rate loss in less than 6 months, which effectively had wiped out their profit margins.’’

The Taoiseach agreed that immediate short term measures were also necessary, and would welcome the IEA’s recommendations in this regard.

John Whelan concluded by saying:

"The IEA will therefore be seeking inputs from it’s members to the new national plan to ensure it reflects their longer term needs, but we will also be seeking recommendations on the short term measures to support the sector to overcome the immediate critical conditions affecting their ability to trade."

The new national plan in the IEA’s view should address:

• the promotion of exports into non sterling markets, including the state re-entering the export credit insurance market
• re-invigorating our Financial Services sector
• assisting the development of our services companies to expand sales overseas
• re- focusing on making our manufacturing sector competitive in international markets.
• Supporting the transport sector to maintain the world class standard now necessary to meet the international supply chain challenges.

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