Recommendations of Forfas publication on ‘Driving Export Growth ‘too broad brush to be of real business value’, according to IEA.

Responding to the launch of the Driving Export Growth publication released today (7^th Dec ’09), the Irish Exporters Association(IEA) stated; the Recommendationswere too broad brush to be of real business value , and would not address the critical issues now facing indigenous exporters .

  The IEA stated they fully endorsed the general ethos of the study which stated that; ‘Generating export-led growth is the only sustainable strategy to secure long term growth and prosperity’ but that a much more detailed review of the competitiveness issues affecting each manufacturing and services sector was required if properly positioned support and policies were to be developed to ensure an export led growth for the economy.

The IEA went on to stress the need to look at market competition in each export sector, and the sales and export turnover per employee. This should lead to better understanding of the drivers of productivity in each sector, and the differing requirements of the multinational and indigenous companies in each sector. 

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, stated at the launch;

‘’There is a need to reverse the Government trade promotion agencies policy of recent years and move back towards one of job creation through export development , and incentives to greater capital investment in indigenous export industry. ‘’

He concluded by saying the IEA will ensure further dialogue with Forfas to ensure these recommendations are taken into account in future studies of the export sector.

Note copies of the Forfas Report can be downloaded from their website.

ENDS

For Further information contact ;

John Whelan , 01 6612182, or Mobile 087 9271243