Irish exports should reach £1 billion per week in 1999, according to the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), but wage inflation and the transport infrastructure are becoming a "concern". A value increase of 15 per cent in 1999 would bring total exports for the year to £51.5 billion, compared with an estimated £45 billion for 1998. The IEA forecasts that Irish exports will continue to increase at a faster pace than growth in world trade despite slowing global economic growth.

While increased manufacturing capacity and the maintenance of industrial competitiveness were the factors underlying strong export performances in recent years, the IEA expresses concern about wage inflation and the transport infrastructure.

Pay rates are now consistently outstripping inflation and the transport infrastructure is "showing signs of not being able to keep up with export growth", according to the IEA.