THE Republic is Northern Ireland's most important export market, according to economy minister Baroness Denton.

Overall, Northern Irish manufacturing exports grew by 21 per cent to £2.6 billion sterling in the year to March 31st 1995. Sales to the Republic rose 16 per cent, from £544 million to £632 million, or 24 per cent of total exports.

The North now exports 33 per cent of its goods, up from 30 per cent the previous year. Overall, £2.6 billion is sold to Britain, with the remainder (£2.7 billion) going to the Northern Ireland market. The greatest growth over the last three years has been to markets outside the European Union, which account for £906 million or 11 per cent of total sales.

Baroness Denton said sales to rest of the EU reached £1.1 billion, 20 per cent higher than the previous year.

She added that Industrial Development Board initiatives targeting regions such as the Middle East and the Pacific Rim had also resulted in increased business for local companies.

The annual survey of sales and exports by Northern Irish companies was sponsored by the Industrial Development Board and the Department of Economic Development. The Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre polled 2,100 companies, making up 90 per cent of manufacturing employment.