IBEC: Ireland is regaining competitiveness
Employers' group IBEC has said a new report shows that Ireland is rapidly regaining the competitiveness it lost during the boom years.
The study, published today, has found that restructuring programmes and a stronger focus on productivity has delivered annual unit cost reductions of 7% here.
The study has found that output per worker increased by 12% in 2009 and 10% this year.
Addressing IBEC's CEO Conference in Dublin today, its Director General Danny Mc Coy said Irish firms are again performing strongly in international markets.
"Business has reacted swiftly and decisively to the recession. Our costs are coming into line internationally, our exporters are increasing global market share and unemployment appears to have levelled off," Mr McCoy said.
"We are now positioned for recovery and equipped to create balanced and sustainable growth.
"Irish companies and their employees moved quickly and with a flexibility unmatched in any other country. We now have evidence that this is working and business is gaining the necessary momentum to drive economic growth. We have a lot more to do to restore our economic fortunes, but significant progress has been made," said Mr McCoy.
Also addressing the IBEC conference, Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller said there is more to Ireland's economy than construction and a troubled banking sector.
Mr Mueller said Ireland has a strong ethos of internationalism and entrepreneurship, along with structural advantages over its competitors and a flexible and well-educated workforce.
The Aer Lingus chief said it has taken "blood, sweat and tears" to survive in an aviation market that is still shrinking.
But he told those at the gatnering that the "sense of solidarity" in Ireland is something that is worth millions.
