Ireland's goods exports up 8 pct in May

The latest trade figures released from Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday showed that the country's goods exports, at 8.8 billion euros, were up 8 percent in May 2015 when compared with May 2014.

The CSO figures also showed that in the first five months of 2015, goods exports, at 44 billion euros, were up 18 percent when compared to the same period in 2014.

The main driver of the increase was a rise in the value of exports of medical and pharmaceutical products which was up 30 percent on May 2014, the CSO said.

The figures showed that exports in May to the United States, which is Ireland's biggest single export market, increased by 29 percent, to Belgium by 16 percent, The Netherlands by 12 percent, Germany by 11 percent and Britain by 7 percent when compared to May 2014.

Commenting on Tuesday's figures, Richard Bruton, minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation, said this continued positive trend in export figures is very welcome, with goods exports in the first five months of the year up 18 percent on the same period last year.

"At the heart of our jobs plan is building a new sustainable economy based on enterprise and exports. In the past four years we have seen major progress on this, with consistent growth in exports driving a strong employment recovery," he said.

"With strong implementation of our plan, I am convinced we can continue to see progress until we achieve sustainable full employment in the coming years," he added. Enditem