EXPORTS FROM Northern Ireland to the Republic rose by £150 million to an estimated £1.7 billion (€1.93 billion) in 2007 and 2008, according to latest Government research.

Exports to the South accounted for more than a quarter of all exports by manufacturing companies in the North in the latest period under review.

Although the growth rate in sales from the North to the South slowed slightly in 2007 and 2008 the Republic remains one of Northern Ireland’s key export markets.

Total sales and exports by manufacturing companies in the North were estimated to be worth £15.6 billion in 2007/2008.

Analysis of the latest figures from the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Sales and Export survey shows this represented an increase of 5.2 per cent or £774 million over the year.

The data also highlights that the growth rate of sales fell back from the previous period where it was 6.1 per cent.

Britain held its lead as the top destination for sales from Northern Ireland companies in 2007/2008.

Nearly two-fifths of everything manufactured in the North is destined for the GB market.

Sales from Northern Ireland companies to customers in Britain were worth £6.2 billion in 2007/2008.

Exports outside the UK and Ireland were worth £3.8 billion in the same period.

In Europe Germany, France and the Netherlands are the main destinations for sales from the North.

Outside of the European Union North America is the most significant market for Northern Ireland’s exporters.

The North’s Economy Minister Arlene Foster said the latest figures showed businesses in the North were increasingly focused on export activity.

“It is clear that trading conditions in the global market have worsened since last year and companies are increasingly feeling the effects of the downturn.

“There is undoubtedly more of the same ahead of us as some markets contract and others become more competitive,” Ms Foster said.