Press Release

For Immediate Publication

World-wide Trade Facilitation Is Key to Increasing Irish Exports

The recent financial crisis has created a range of serious problems both nationally and internationally and of grave concern to Irish exporters is the fact that world trade has shrunk dramatically as a consequence. That was the message that Mr Liam Shanahan, President of the Irish Exporters Association, gave as he addressed a meeting in Dublin today (Tuesday, March 2) at which Mr Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), briefed members of the Irish Exporters Association on the work of the WCO.

According to Mr Shanahan, the volume of goods traded internationally fell about 12% in 2009 which represented the sharpest decline since World War II. "In Ireland, exports held up better than the global average showing a decline of 3%," said Mr Shanahan. He noted, however, that Irish imports were down some 23% reflecting a drastic fall in domestic consumption. He said that the World Customs Organization had a major role to play in ensuring that global trade starts to grow again. "The Irish Exporters Association are calling on the WCO to use all it's influence to outlaw protectionism and introduce more trade facilitation measures for to make help the return to robust growth of international trade - in particular we need smart surveillance systems between trading blocks such as EU , the US, Japan and other Asian countries, not more trade restrictions masquerading as anti-terrorism measures," noted Mr Shanahan.

Mr Shanahan said that the Irish Exporters Association was proactive in promoting the merits of easier international trade having established Trade Facilitation Ireland. "Trade Facilitation Irelands' philosophy could be summed up on one word � simplify � and has worked closely with Irish Customs and international organisation to achieve that simplification," Mr Shanahan noted that the Irish Government through its various departments has made significant progress in removing a lot of the red tape that had previously slowed down Irelands' international trade. "I believe that Irish exporters now are now able to move their goods faster around the world than ever before and it is with a certain amount of national pride that I can say that Irish Customs is among the best and most progressive in the world."

Mr Shanahan continued: "However, it is not enough that Ireland has a Customs service that appreciates the need for simpler ways to conduct international business. That is where the World Customs Organization must come into its own. The WCO faces major and urgent challenges to help the lowest performing countries to upgrade to best international standards. Any movement in this direction will, indeed, be positive and will go some way towards ensuring the return to growth internationally. The WCO must lead the way in looking for harmonized customs procedures and practices throughout the world, especially in the rapidly growing and developing economies of China, India, Russia and Brazil."

Mr Shanahan concluded by saying that the Irish Exporters Association look forward to continued support and help from the World Trade Organization in bringing forward constructive proposals and country level, at EU level and at WTO level.

Jean Delaney, Partner Tax & Legal Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers who hosted the event added:
"Export-led growth is vitally important to Ireland's economic recovery. The World Customs Organisation is playing a key role in encouraging governments to promote global trade facilitation to make it easier for companies to trade internationally. These initiatives are greatly welcomed by Irish businesses."

ENDS

For further Information: John Whelan

Irish Exporters Association

Tel. 087 927 1243

Email: jfwhelan@irishexporters.ie