Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan to launch the Irish Exporters’ Association 'Top 250 Report’

Jan O’Sullivan T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Trade and Development, will launch the Irish Exporters’ Association ‘Top 250 Report’ tomorrow.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister O’Sullivan said:

“The Top 250 report provides an all-island overview of the situation for exporters both North and South of the border, and is an invaluable resource for business and policy makers alike.”

The Top 250 export companies are ranked according to their most recent available turnover figures and have been compiled by Business Pro for the Irish Exporters’ Association. The report shows that export growth is being driven by strong performers in the Food and Drink, ICT and Pharmaceutical sectors.  The Minister said that she was..

“keenly aware that for exporters, as for every other sector of the economy, these are very challenging times but as this report shows key exporters in a number of sectors are performing well.”

She went on to note the ongoing strong performance of the food and drink sector, where exports increased by 11% in 2010 to reach €7.88 billion.

“It is especially encouraging to see indigenous Irish companies, whose success is key to building sustainable growth and getting people back to work, doing well in this area.” 

“Ireland depends on exporting companies, both indigenous and foreign-owned, to continue to grow and provide sustainable employment”, Minister O’Sullivan said, and she reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring a business and regulatory environment “in which all our export businesses can flourish”. 

Noting the enhanced trade promotion role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister promised the full support of the Department’s embassy network in expanding links for Irish businesses abroad and to provide exporters with a range of practical supports on the ground.