New products and markets key to export growth
The ESRI hosted a conference this week to launch the findings of a research programme on “Enterprise Exporting, Innovation and Productivity” undertaken in cooperation with Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Findings from the programme highlights that diversifying export products and markets plays a major role in driving growth for domestic firms and that investing in knowledge-based capital can help firms increase productivity performance.
Dr Orlaigh Quinn, Secretary General of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation welcomed the launch of the reports. “The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has a strong track record in evidenced-based policy development and through the Civil Service Renewal Programme, is committed to more open approaches to policy making. I therefore welcome our cooperation with the ESRI on research that will contribute to policy development in areas of long-term strategic importance to the Department and its agencies.”
CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Julie Sinnamon, said: “Enterprise Ireland welcomes the publication of this research today. The research reflects Enterprise Ireland’s experience that the number of Irish-owned firms exporting to international markets has grown over recent years, with our client exports totalling €20.6 billion in 2015. The output of this exercise has already helped inform the development of our organisational strategy for the period 2017-2020: Building Scale: Expanding Reach and will no doubt continue to inform our approach to supporting our clients to innovate, win international sales and create jobs across all the regions of Ireland.”
