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07/12/2011
Industry Boss Backs Manufacturing Exports
NI's manufacturing sector has been enjoying a boost with export sales increasing as part of a continuing recession-busting trend.
While there has also been bad news today - with confirmation that more businesses stopped trading than started in 2010 - other figures released today for the 2010/11 financial year show that total manufacturing sales increased by 3.3% (£513m) over the year to £15.9bn.
The Office for National Statistics has said that 9% of companies here stopped trading - 5,390 in total with new companies only filling 7% of that gap.
However, external manufacturing sales (to areas outside Northern Ireland) actually increased by 2.3% (£282 million) to £12.4bn.
This included increased sales to Great Britain of 4.4% (£312m) to £7.3bn. However, exports fell by 0.6% (£30m) to £5.1bn and exports to the Republic of Ireland fell by 15.7% (£229m) to £1.2bn.
Bryan Gray, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI (pictured) commented: "The latest figures show that manufacturers here are meeting the challenge and looking further afield for new markets and customers.
"Unfortunately the unsettled financial situation in the Eurozone has hampered progress for many companies.
"We hope that increased stability in world markets will bring fresh opportunities in the New Year and help companies meet the challenging targets set by the Executive," he concluded.
Also welcoming the latest results that show an increase in manufacturing sales to customers outside NI, Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "The increase in external sales over the year shows that Northern Ireland manufacturing companies are capable of competing with the best in the world.
"We have almost returned to the level of external sales activity last seen in 2008/09 and much of this has been driven by sales to Great Britain, which have reached a record high.
"There has been a fall in the value of overall export activity. However, much of this was due to a marked decline in sales to the Republic of Ireland.
"In contrast, manufacturing exports to all of our other major markets has increased over the year, despite the uncertainty that continues to surround the global economy," said the DUP Minister.
"Despite the difficult trading conditions, there are still opportunities for growth for businesses that are prepared to seek new markets.
"To ensure continual export success I would encourage companies to optimise all available opportunities to further develop new markets."
She added: "By 2014/15, we want to increase the value of manufacturing exports by 15%. This is a challenging target, but one that we must meet.
"We will be encouraging first time exporters by promoting 60 new start ups selling outside UK markets and a further 440 selling to Great Britain.
"However, we also need to diversify our exports into countries and markets that are showing growth potential.
"This includes building much greater trade alliances with the fast growing emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India and China," she said.
(BMcC/GK)
While there has also been bad news today - with confirmation that more businesses stopped trading than started in 2010 - other figures released today for the 2010/11 financial year show that total manufacturing sales increased by 3.3% (£513m) over the year to £15.9bn.
The Office for National Statistics has said that 9% of companies here stopped trading - 5,390 in total with new companies only filling 7% of that gap.
However, external manufacturing sales (to areas outside Northern Ireland) actually increased by 2.3% (£282 million) to £12.4bn.
This included increased sales to Great Britain of 4.4% (£312m) to £7.3bn. However, exports fell by 0.6% (£30m) to £5.1bn and exports to the Republic of Ireland fell by 15.7% (£229m) to £1.2bn.
Bryan Gray, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI (pictured) commented: "The latest figures show that manufacturers here are meeting the challenge and looking further afield for new markets and customers.
"Unfortunately the unsettled financial situation in the Eurozone has hampered progress for many companies.
"We hope that increased stability in world markets will bring fresh opportunities in the New Year and help companies meet the challenging targets set by the Executive," he concluded.
Also welcoming the latest results that show an increase in manufacturing sales to customers outside NI, Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "The increase in external sales over the year shows that Northern Ireland manufacturing companies are capable of competing with the best in the world.
"We have almost returned to the level of external sales activity last seen in 2008/09 and much of this has been driven by sales to Great Britain, which have reached a record high.
"There has been a fall in the value of overall export activity. However, much of this was due to a marked decline in sales to the Republic of Ireland.
"In contrast, manufacturing exports to all of our other major markets has increased over the year, despite the uncertainty that continues to surround the global economy," said the DUP Minister.
"Despite the difficult trading conditions, there are still opportunities for growth for businesses that are prepared to seek new markets.
"To ensure continual export success I would encourage companies to optimise all available opportunities to further develop new markets."
She added: "By 2014/15, we want to increase the value of manufacturing exports by 15%. This is a challenging target, but one that we must meet.
"We will be encouraging first time exporters by promoting 60 new start ups selling outside UK markets and a further 440 selling to Great Britain.
"However, we also need to diversify our exports into countries and markets that are showing growth potential.
"This includes building much greater trade alliances with the fast growing emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India and China," she said.
(BMcC/GK)
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11 June 2002
Good year for NI manufacturing sales and exports
Sales of manufactured goods at home and abroad for 2000/01 have totalled nearly £11 billion, an increase of £849 million over the previous year. Data collected from the Annual Sales and Export Survey, carried out by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre (NIERC) on behalf of DETI and Invest NI, shows that an increase of 9.
Good year for NI manufacturing sales and exports
Sales of manufactured goods at home and abroad for 2000/01 have totalled nearly £11 billion, an increase of £849 million over the previous year. Data collected from the Annual Sales and Export Survey, carried out by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre (NIERC) on behalf of DETI and Invest NI, shows that an increase of 9.
13 June 2001
LATEST ECONOMIC DATA INDICATES EXPORTS UP
THE latest manufacturing sales and exports figures for 1999/2000 show that around £20 million worth of manufactured goods were sold outside NI every day - a rise of some 8 per cent in total sales over the previous year.
LATEST ECONOMIC DATA INDICATES EXPORTS UP
THE latest manufacturing sales and exports figures for 1999/2000 show that around £20 million worth of manufactured goods were sold outside NI every day - a rise of some 8 per cent in total sales over the previous year.
29 November 2005
NI manufacturing and exports rise
Total sales and exports by manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland have continued to increase over the last year, new figures have revealed. According to the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Sales and Exports survey, sales by manufacturing companies were worth £13.8 billion in 2004/05, an increase of 2.5% over the year.
NI manufacturing and exports rise
Total sales and exports by manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland have continued to increase over the last year, new figures have revealed. According to the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Sales and Exports survey, sales by manufacturing companies were worth £13.8 billion in 2004/05, an increase of 2.5% over the year.
30 June 2003
Minister ‘encouraged’ by NI manufacturing figures
The sale of locally manufactured goods in markets outside NI in 2001/02 totalled £7.2 billion, an increase of £18 million (0.2%) on the corresponding period last year, according to the annual Manufacturing Sales and Export Survey, carried out by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre (NIERC) on behalf of DETI and Invest NI.
Minister ‘encouraged’ by NI manufacturing figures
The sale of locally manufactured goods in markets outside NI in 2001/02 totalled £7.2 billion, an increase of £18 million (0.2%) on the corresponding period last year, according to the annual Manufacturing Sales and Export Survey, carried out by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre (NIERC) on behalf of DETI and Invest NI.
10 December 2008
Exports Up, But Rate Slows
Total sales and exports by manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland increased from 2006/07 to 2007/08, however, the growth rate was slower than in previous years. The latest figures from the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Sales and Exports survey estimated sales by manufacturing companies to be worth £15.6billion in 2007/08, an increase of 5.
Exports Up, But Rate Slows
Total sales and exports by manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland increased from 2006/07 to 2007/08, however, the growth rate was slower than in previous years. The latest figures from the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Sales and Exports survey estimated sales by manufacturing companies to be worth £15.6billion in 2007/08, an increase of 5.
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